Gratitude
Thankful—Not Just Today, But Always
This year, I have more to be thankful for than ever before. Yes, I’m grateful for the staples—family, health, work—but there’s something deeper stirring in my spirit. I’m reminded of Elbert Hubbard’s wisdom:
“I would rather be able to appreciate things I cannot have than to have things I am not able to appreciate.”
This Thanksgiving, I’m using that as my gratitude thermometer—measuring not what I have, but how deeply I’ve learned to value it.
Thanksgiving and Cold Hands, Warm Hearts
All my life, I’ve had cold hands—my mom says I got them from my grandmother. Sometimes, they get so cold it physically hurts. I’ve tried every trick to warm them, with no success. But instead of complaining, this year I’m thankful that my cold hands have warmed the lives of others.
I’ve cooled fevers, comforted injuries, and soothed pain—not just with my hands, but with compassion. I’ve watched children’s eyes light up with comfort and care. And despite my cold touch, their innocence melts any chill in me.
So this year, I’m grateful for every child who’s ever smiled through my care—and for every nurse who shows love through healing hands.
Grandma’s Love: Fierce, Cold, and Full of Warmth
My grandmother had icy blue eyes and hands that could chill to the bone. She hugged hard, loved harder, and rarely spoke in flowery words. She was stern—raised in a time when work was hard, and love was practical, not poetic. But underneath her cool demeanor was a furnace of love.
She taught me to give until it burned. To love until it ached. Her lessons were not soft—but they were powerful.
This Thanksgiving, I’m thankful for everything her “cold hands” taught me about how warm love can truly be.
Love is the Warmest Gift of All
Whether it’s the cold hands I inherited or the lessons passed down through generations, I’m grateful this Thanksgiving for the gift of love—in all its forms.
I’ve had the honor of sharing warmth through friendship, compassion, caregiving, and connection. W. Clement Stone once said:
“If you are really thankful, what do you do? You share.”
So this Thanksgiving, let’s not just reflect on what we’re grateful for—let’s give it away. A smile. A kind word. A warm plate. A safe hug. A listening ear. That’s the spirit of Thanksgiving.
What Are You Thankful For Today?
Be grateful for the people who care. For old lessons and new friends. For memories that warm your soul—and for the chance to pass that warmth on.
This Thanksgiving, let gratitude be more than a word—make it your action.
You set the old adage warm hands warm heart on its ear. It sounds to me like you have cold hands and a warm heart. I’m glad to have found this blog. It’s very well written and addresses some important subjects. I always feel lucky each Thanksgiving that my blessings outweigh my problems. I am thankful to have so many things to be thankful about. Thanksgiving is my favorite holiday of the year – such a positive and inspiring day. Would that we could focus on our blessings every day.
thank you and warm welcome Cynthia Close.
We always had the saying, ‘cold hands warm heart’. I also have cold hands, not as cold as yours though. When I was a practicing nurse in hospitals, my patients used to grab my hand and put it on their hot face to cool them down. Anyway I like your reminder to be thankful and there is always so much to be thankful for.