What are you thankful for?

Neighborhood site Patch is asking readers to answer the question, “What are you thankful for?“

Here’s my response:

I’m thankful for the small, unexpected moments that make life fascinating—the giant Illinois pumpkin grown in the town next to me, or the thrill of watching cicadas emerge in sync with the temperature of the soil. I’m also grateful for the simple joy of creating tiny snowmen on the sidewalks of my local downtown, adding a touch of whimsy to everyday life. These discoveries, big and small, remind me of the joy in observing, reflecting, and sharing the world’s everyday marvels.

It’s often the small things that catch my attention and stay with me. The pumpkin, for instance, is more than just a seasonal display. It’s a reminder of the work that goes into something simple—how the changing seasons shape what we see around us.

Similarly, the cicadas are another small thing that, when you pause to notice, reveals something about timing and natural cycles. Watching them emerge, almost to the exact degree of soil temperature, makes me realize how much goes on around us without us having to do anything. It’s a kind of quiet assurance that some things just fall into place, on their own.

And those little snowmen? They’re just a few mounds of snow, but making them gives me a break from the routine. It’s an easy way to introduce something playful into an otherwise typical day. There’s something satisfying about creating something for no reason other than to briefly change the environment around you.

Patch’s initiative aims to collect these stories of gratitude from across America. If you’d like to share your own perspective, you can submit your response through their form.

Update November 27, 2024

Patch has published my response as an article, “Giving Thanks For ‘Small, Unexpected Moments’ In Glen Ellyn“. Kinda cool to see, especially since the article was published on my birthday.