Okay, how is it already late October? Time is absolutely flying this year, and I perpetually feel like I can’t keep up! It’s hard to believe the holiday season is just around the corner, but Thanksgiving will be here before we know it. And with all the commitments, festivities, and to-do lists that inevitably come with this time of year, I’ve found myself craving time and space to take a step back and reflect so I can truly appreciate it all.
In this vein, last week Cam’s mom sent us a picture of her “thankful pumpkin.” Each year in late September one of her friends drops a pumpkin off on her porch with the direction to transform the simple orange gourd into a celebratory shrine of gratitude. His mom then takes the pumpkin, decorates it with the names of people, places, and things she is grateful for that season, and places it in a prominent spot where she can look at it and be reminded of all the beautiful things in her life. I simply love this idea, and while Cam and I have yet to get our pumpkins this October[1] I already want to incorporate this as a fall tradition we revisit each and every year.
So, in the spirit of gratitude and practice of intentionality, I thought I’d try something new, keep this post short and sweet, and direct my focus towards that which I’m currently grateful for. I know it’s no pumpkin, but I thought I’d create my own “thankful blog post” of sorts and share it as a way to pay this beautiful sentiment forward and keep the inspiration alive.
10 things I’m grateful for this fall:
1. Crisp mornings and clear blue skies
2. That glorious first sip of coffee that hits my lips before I’ve fully opened my eyes
3. Autumn road trips and quality time with my boys, Cam and Fitz[2]
4. Time well-spent visiting family and friends
5. Target candles that make it smell and sound like a bonfire without all the hassle[3]
6. Comfy couches, cozy blankets, and binge-worthy tv shows as nightcaps[4]
7. Leaves that are (finally!) starting to embrace their gorgeous color
8. Fuzzy wool socks that keep my feet warm… and a puppy whose sole mission is to steal them from right under my nose[5]
9. The return of Saturday Night Live and the inevitable laughter that follows[6]
10. A cute little velociraptor doggo who joins me on lunch walks and keeps me company each and every day
So, what are you grateful for? Find a pumpkin, break out that Sharpie, and get to crafting a list of your own!
It’s true: Life moves quickly, and we can’t slow down time. However, we can slow ourselves down every once in a while and reflect on all the beautiful things that bring us joy and fill our cups.
And while the holiday season is upon us, gratitude shouldn’t be reserved for one day or even a season. Rather, it’s a practice and an intentional mindset that we should strive to embody always. For there is so much to be grateful for if only we take time to look up and look out, and giving thanks makes life more beautiful, wonderful, and filled with endless surprises.
[1] Yes, I know: We are total slackers.
[2] We recently traveled to South Bend to take engagement pictures at Notre Dame… More details coming soon!
[3] Leather + Embers by Threshold is the absolute best. I always make it a point to stock up!
[4] We just finished Hulu’s Only Murders in the Building with Steve Martin, Martin Short, and Selena Gomez: So fun to watch!
[5] Fitz is freaking obsessed with socks. I’m serious: OBSESSED. Clean, dirty, folded, in the hamper: The little man doesn’t care. Give him socks, socks, and more socks. You might not know where all your socks are, but I can promise you Fitz does…
[6] I don’t know why I love this Bug Assembly skit so much but I do. “And I’m Daddy Longlegs.” I’m so here for all things Bowen Yang. “Call. Me. Daddy.”
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