Last night, while visiting with new friends on my TM Facebook page, I was introduced to Etsy through a post by The Lucky Mom. I had heard of Etsy before, but I had honestly never visited the site. Yes, you might say I am a member of the 1%–just not that 1%. Etsy is a site that delights and inspires. I love crafting, all kinds of crafting, and have since I was a little girl. And, for this craft lovin’ mom that is easily distracted by “shiny sparklies”, Etsy is like nirvana.

Though I could have spent hours looking through the wonderful homemade pieces of art, it was Lucky Mom’s gratitude chalkboard that I kept coming back to, that I marked as a favorite, that I pointed out to my husband with a not-so-subtle Christmas gift suggestion. It was the same chalkboard that was on my mind when I awoke this morning.

Laying in the dark, I pictured the colorful chalkboard in my mind; “Today I am grateful for…” The list came fast and easy. Every day begins as a blank slate, and I have so very many things I am grateful for. And, though you could squeeze many answers into the blank space on Lucky Mom’s “gratitude chalkboard,” I think the intention is to write one– the one that fills your heart that day. I love that idea because it forces me to really focus my thoughts on that which I am most grateful for.  Now, it could be easy for me to  “go through the motions” and write “My family” daily, but not truly connect with my feelings of  genuine gratitude for them. Sad, but true. Definitely not fulfilling. And, certainly not what Thanksgiving is about.

“I have so much to be thankful for. What one thing would I write on my chalkboard today?” I pondered as I made my way down the stairs. I worked my way through my mental list as I prepared my coffee (which is, of course, on my gratitude “short list.”) There are so many things and I was beginning to feel like I wouldn’t be able to narrow it down to just one. Then, I walked into my living room, and there– spread far and wide across the floor– was my answer.

Today, I am grateful for Legos. Legos that spread across the floor and bleed into the next room. Legos that multiply in the dark and are noisy and messy and small. Legos that are painful to step on and obnoxious to sort (so I stopped trying.) Legos that prompt spontaneous “Lego parties” and are left out for days at a time. Legos that bring my husband down on the floor to play. Legos that are stolen by our black, long-haired,  kleptomaniac cat. Legos that spur the creative juices in each of us. Legos that include pieces from my childhood –with extra gratitude to my mom who had passed them on to my oldest sister for her children and to my sister who passed them to me when her children were done with them. Legos that hold memories of our trip to Legoland many years ago. Legos that reflect the changing interests of my girls as they have grown. Legos that promote laughter and sharing and bring out the child in each of us. Legos that bring us together as a family. Legos that leave memories long after they are put away. Yep, today, I am grateful for Legos.

And, because there is room to squeeze in one more answer on my “chalkboard”– Today, and everyday, I am grateful for you. Thank you for reading. 🙂 And, a very Happy Thanksgiving to you and yours!

What one thing are you most grateful for today?

©2011 Mary Lanzavecchia/Transitioning Mom