30 Days of Gratitude – Day 16:
Express gratitude to a parent/guardian/parent-figure.

While preparing this list of gratitude recipients, it seemed obvious to include a day on which to thank parents for their impact in our lives. But then—perhaps because I lost my father earlier this year due to the long-term effects of Parkinson’s disease—I had to view the list with a broader thought base. Some of you have lost both of your biological parents; some have never had contact with their parents since early childhood; some have parents who were anything but loving and kind. But I would venture to say that each of us has someone that is at least a “parent-figure” in some area (teaching us, guiding us, setting an example for us, caring about various areas of our lives). So regardless of their “blood relationship” to us, they have earned our thanks. And in the end, our focus is not on what we don’t have, but it’s on taking time to remember—and be grateful for—what we do have.

Take time to call, e-mail, send a card to, or buy a gift for the parent, guardian, or parent-figure you chose to thank today.