Every year I find myself placing more and more emphasis on teaching my children the importance of expressing thanks and gratitude.
Today, Alison LaFerlita is doing just that in a letter to her boys. By sharing her own thanks-givings, she hopes to communicate the importance of showing gratitude for what you DO have.
Alison—a mother of two and a talented non-profit professional—took over the reigns as the National Association of Mothers’ Center Executive Director this past August. In September we introduced her more candidly though our Researching Motherhood interview, and today we are pleased to feature her words again in this gracious letter to her own children Shane (age 4) and Reilly (age 2).
Dear Shane and Reilly,
We are preparing to celebrate yet another Thanksgiving together. Thanksgiving is typically a time where we reflect on all the wonderful gifts we’ve been blessed with and express our gratitude for those gifts.
You’re both still so little and just learning about our cultural traditions, yet I felt it important to let you know that the key to this holiday is to show your gratitude.
I realize it can be hard to understand at your age that you won’t always get what you want. However, the truth is… no one always gets what they want, but we still need to be thankful for what we do have. There are so many kids in this world who don’t have the opportunity (like you do) to go to school. And still many more children who may not know when they’ll eat their next meal or if they’ll even see their families again.
So, in the spirit of the holiday, I want to share with you what I am most thankful for.
I am thankful… for both you and your dad, who bring so much love and light into my world.
(You’ve helped me to discover a more vulnerable, patient and kind person.)
I am thankful… my parents sacrificed so much and moved to the United States.
(In doing so, they gave us and our family’s subsequent generations a better future.)
I am thankful… you have your health and that I get to see you grow and thrive every day.
(Not every parent has that chance.)
And finally,
I am thankful… God trusted me to be your mother.
(What a beautiful gift it has been.)
Although we may not have a huge house, fancy cars or take five star vacations; we have each other and so much love one could never put a price tag on. Be grateful for that, there are many people in the world who would trade their material treasures for what we have.
As you grow, I hope you’ll always remember the following…..
Be Thankful
Author Unknown
Be thankful that you don’t already have everything you desire,
If you did, what would there be to look forward to?
Be thankful when you don’t know something,
For it gives you the opportunity to learn.
Be thankful for the difficult times,
During those times you grow.
Be thankful for your limitations,
Because they give you opportunities for improvement.
Be thankful for each new challenge,
Because it will build your strength and character.
Be thankful for your mistakes,
They will teach you valuable lessons.
Be thankful when you’re tired and weary,
Because it means you’ve made a difference.
It is easy to be thankful for the good things.
A life of rich fulfillment comes to those who are also thankful for the setbacks.
Gratitude can turn a negative into a positive.
Find a way to be thankful for your troubles and they can become your blessings.
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I love you both more than the sun and the moon and the sky. You are my heart.
Happy Thanksgiving.
Love,
Mama
Leave a Comment: What are you most thankful for? How do you help to instill gratitude in your own children? Please help me give a warm welcome to this month’s Mothers Central Blog guest Alison LaFerlita by leaving her a comment and sharing her letter with others!
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{ 5 comments… read them below or add one }
Alison, Thank you so much for taking the time to write this beautiful letter to your boys and also for your leadership as the Executive Director of the NAMC. This letter is a perfect (and timely) reminder of all that we DO have during a time when we are challenged by the over-abundance of holiday commercials (telling us everything that that we don’t have—but MUST get!). I loved the poem you shared and look forward to sharing it with my own children… maybe as grace before our family’s Thanksgiving gathering!
What lovely and timely sentiments. Your boys are indeed lucky to have you. Thanks especially for sharing the poem - very apt words for this time of the year.
Well said Alison. Thank you for sharing. Wishing you and your family a Happy Thanksgiving.
Thank you for that lovely snapshot into your family…so filled with love and gratitude.
What a great letter to your boys Alison! It’s so easy to get caught in the comparison trap and with all the ads showing the latest and greatest “must-haves” I think it’s hard for people (especially children) to remember that the things they take for granted, someone else is praying for.
Thanks for sharing! Happy Thanksgiving