This has been a year filled with long, quiet thinking.
by Kate Dennis Spear
I am not proud to admit that I recently fell off the gratitude wagon for a short time. I have been reminded that, in times of joy and sorrow and all moments in between, there is always something to evoke gratitude. Like happiness, love and kindness, gratefulness is a choice.
So this year, I choose to give thanks for strength. Often my strength is borrowed — through words of encouragement, simple kindness or grace I do not deserve. As I kneel down to pray, my request is for strength — to recognize the right path, to honor my family and my God, to cherish and serve this Coast I so love.
Family, community and faith are the essence of who I am; from each I draw strength. Forever will I appreciate the strength of character, importance of integrity and core values my parents instilled. My brother and I have returned to the Coast as the third generation in our family construction business, and I am thankful for his dedication to our employees and to continuing a legacy of loyalty and craftsmanship. His efforts now provide the framework and resources that allow me to be engaged in our community.
As a new parent, I only can strive to be half the mother I have been blessed to know. For my husband and our wonderful new adventure of parenting, I am grateful. Exhausted, but grateful. I am thankful for Chris’ strength as a faith leader for our family. Louisa and I agree he’s pretty special. He pushes me to be my best self and loves me in spite of myself. Sometimes I wonder why. He probably does, too — but it’s too late to run! Louisa would chase him.
So I choose to be grateful (most of the time). Communicating that gratitude effectively is still a work in progress.
This Coast community always will be my first great love — the kind of lifelong love that is part of who I am. Our spirit of resilience continues to astound me, and I am strengthened and renewed by this place we are so fortunate to call home.
Most importantly, I am grateful for faith, for the strength that comes in knowing that I never walk alone, particularly when the path is darkest. It is knowing that God has it together for me when I clearly do not.
As I rise from the kneeler at Mass this Sunday and walk out to see the shimmering waters of our coastline, my prayer will be as it always is — that I have the strength to recognize God’s path and never lose sight of how truly blessed I am.
I have so many reasons to be thankful!
by Sharon Weeks
First and foremost, I thank God for so many blessings. With His guidance, I have faced life’s biggest challenges, made it through and even learned a thing or two along the way.
I am thankful for a happy married life to my husband, Roland, my best friend and my soulmate, who always brings out the best in me. I thank God for giving me a wonderful daughter, Shelby. She is my world!
I am thankful for my family: my parents, seven brothers and sisters, and their many beautiful children. I have lived on the Mississippi Gulf Coast my entire life; I wouldn’t live anywhere else. The Coast is a wonderful community of people who are ready and willing to help you when you need help. And often, even when you don’t ask for help, good people see your need and offer to help. I love my community, especially Ocean Springs where I grew up in the 1960s and 1970s. It is a part of my life, and I will always treasure growing up in that beautiful, small town.
I am thankful for the simple things that make life truly amazing. Happiness is key! Whatever makes you happy, do that — whether it’s a cupcake and an ice cream cone or a bike ride down the beach. I’m thankful to share my happiness with others. Even small gestures make a big difference: kindness, respect, patience, a smile, or a thankyou note. Most importantly, lend an ear to others, and be a good listener.
I am thankful for all the gifts nature has given us, especially sunrises and sunsets. I believe they are proof that no matter what is going on in life, everyday can begin and end beautifully — a true sign of hope and peace.
When things don’t go as planned, I’m thankful for spontaneity, as those times tend to exceed my expectations and are far more memorable!
I’m thankful for the beauty of our world, things that too often I take for granted: flowers, trees, birds, clouds and butterflies. These delightful things always put a smile on my face and are so good for my soul.
I am thankful for opportunity. I’ve been given various opportunities, and with those have come new friends, new experiences and new outlooks on life. I am excited about what’s in store for me as I grow older, and hopefully wiser.
Laughter. I’m thankful for laughter because it absolutely makes the heart grow fonder. On top of that, it just feels good to smile, laugh, and enjoy life!