“Gratitude is not only an emotion; it is something we do. It is like tending a garden. It takes planting and watering and weeding. It takes time and attention. It takes learning. It takes routine. But, eventually, the ground yields, shoots come forth, and thanksgiving blooms.” – Diana Butler Bass, Grateful When I read about gratitude,…

Jim and Kelly at their daughter Maggie’s wedding. I am thankful to my friend Kelly for sharing her words today.  She and I met in graduate school at UNL.  More recently I’ve loved seeing her as a new a grandma as she shares pictures on Facebook.  Not only is she smart and kind, she’s one of the…

I was scooting down the school hallway, copies in hand, shuffling my keys to unlock my classroom when I saw her, she was standing still and looking at posters. “Good morning,” I said quickly. “Aren’t these neat,” she said, gesturing so that I would stop and really look.  “They really are saying something.” I have walked…

Thank You Veterans.  Your service is our gratitude.  I saw something this weekend that I want to share.  Any time the word “gratitude” pops up in a video going viral, I’m paying attention. Pete Davidson apologized to Lt. Com. Dan Crenshaw on Saturday Night Live.  Pete had made a joke in poor taste, and–whether NBC…

“I would maintain that thanks are the highest form of thought, and that gratitude is happiness doubled by wonder.” – Gilbert K. Chesterton His little feet skip into the room.  I grin.  This kid is happy all the time. Except when he isn’t. Except when he asks the tough questions. “Was Grandma cancelled?” he will say…

“Nebraska, it’s not for everyone.” If you haven’t heard yet, our state has a new tourism slogan.  It’s been met with mixed reviews.  When I read social media notes from people who are angry about it, I giggle, remembering it’s the tourism slogan.  You have to admit that our state is not a tourist destination…

Did your mom or grandma ever put a little note in your lunchbox growing up?  Mine did, and every time I opened my lunch to that little unexpected note, I couldn’t help but feel loved and appreciated.  I couldn’t help but feel gratitude.Today the gratitude dare is simple. . .find a sticky note and write…

Photo from Moving Mountains for Multiple Myeloma.  The last time I saw Cindi was at coffee.  She looked like her usual self–a leader, put together, beautiful and strong–but she also looked tired, more quiet. I only learned later how much pain her body was going through as we sat there chit-chatting about life.  Cindi’s dance with cancer was…

Photo by Curt Brinkmann. “It’s a dangerous business, Frodo, going out your door.  You step onto the road, and if you don’t keep your feet, there’s no knowing where you might be swept off to.” – Bilbo Baggins (The Fellowship of the Ring) I wrecked my favorite car, friends. It was the first car I…

I am so thankful to Sarah for sharing these words of gratitude during her deployment.  I asked thinking I might post this on Veteran’s Day, but after reading her words, and after the weekend I’ve had (more on that tomorrow), I don’t want to wait.  Thank you Sarah for your service and for encouraging us all…