Sharon sitting on a rock looking out at the ocean

An Ode to Gratitude

When I asked my six-year-old son what he was thankful for, he didn’t hesitate. He delivered a full, unfiltered list—from the people he loves to the building he doesn’t. His natural wisdom was a powerful reminder of how we often overcomplicate gratitude. Science confirms its profound benefits, from better sleep to a healthier heart, but the practice itself is beautifully simple. Inspired by his honesty, I’ve listed 12 things that I’m grateful for with small stories of thanks, and prompts to help you rediscover the abundance already woven into your days. Let’s practice gratitude together.

Jack, the turtle's grave

When a Turtle Taught Us Grief: Holding Space for Childhood’s First Heartbreak

Rain slicked the pier boards as I rushed toward summer camp, heart leaden. My son’s red-eared slider, Jack—his four-year companion—had died that morning. I pulled Marcus aside, droplets clinging to his hair. “Sweetheart, sad news… Jack died today.”

“Why?” he asked—then pivoted to sand bottle making. I let him.

At home, he cradled his turtle’s still body. “Why isn’t he moving?” Silence. Then quiet sobs shook us both.

Under the Chinese Banyan, he buried Jack where he’d once dug earthworms for him. Tears mixed with rain.

Grief isn’t a solo journey. It’s an echo between souls.

Lifetime friendship

Reason, Season, or A Lifetime: What Every Relationship Teaches Us About Growth and Gratitude

I came cross this poem titled Reason, Season, or A Lifetime by Brian A. “Drew” Chalker during the most challenging time of my life. Back then, I heard only the ache of endings. Now, I see the poem as a love letter to impermanence—and a reminder that every person who crosses our path leaves us with a gift, even if it takes years to unwrap. In this article, I broke down each category–reason relationship, season relationship, and lifetime relationship, weave in my messy (and hopeful) stories, and explore how to find gratitude in all of them.