Visualizing the Word 'Thankful'

Disclosure: I am a member of the Everywhere Society & Everywhere provided me with compensation for this post about Macy’s. However, all thoughts and opinions expressed from here on are my own. 

Over the weekend, I woke up before the rest of the family and and a chance to just sit down and enjoy the quiet of the house. I realize it’s messy and there’s so much to do. But for that moment, I enjoyed the quiet. The kids both woke up around the same time and piled on tow of me with morning cuddles. I was out of town for a bit last week, so extra hugs are a really wonderful thing. I’m super thankful for my family, my job, the messy house and all of the opportunities I had to help others.

I spent a portion of the last week working with the Red Cross as a part of my role as a digital volunteer. My years of work in journalism and social communications during a crisis has given me a chance to share insight and ideas when recruiting and teaching volunteers who help online. I’m so thankful to be able to help.

When it comes to being thankful, I’ve challenged the kids to draw pictures of some of the things that make them feel thankful. I had a chance to receive a Rwanda Path to Peace basket from Macy’s in time to make our thankful project look really beautiful. The baskets are handwoven from women in Rwanda. You can see a report from CNN about the baskets and how the store is one of a number of businesses that help women earn money through a for-profit organization, Gahaya Links. After our Thanksgiving project, I think I will hang the basket on a wall in our house to remind us of how we can be thankful and enjoy the beautiful piece of work.

Things the kids are thankful for so far: Years of enjoying our dogs (even though we don’t have them anymore), grandparents, technology and family.