My youngest son called when I was out yesterday. If you\u2019re a longtime Intramuralist reader, you\u2019ll know we are often taught much through the simple; we are often taught much through the simple, wise words of this astute young man. Downs is not a definer for him; it simply is one of the lenses through which he sees the world.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
He was checking on a few items when he called. When finished, as is typical of our multiple, daily conversations, I told him I loved him. I then added:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cI\u2019m thankful for you.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n He chuckled on the other end of the phone. Something in him found this funny. \u201cMom, it\u2019s not Thanksgiving any more.\u201d Josh often mirrors manifestations of the mature in a more uncomplicated form. I love it! \u2026 no doubt intellect is clearly often an adult obstacle. In so many moments and opportunities to glean wisdom, we seem to have trouble wrapping our brains around the potential learning because we<\/em><\/strong> aren\u2019t certain\u2026 we<\/em><\/strong> can\u2019t figure it out\u2026 or it doesn\u2019t make sense to \u201cwe\u201d<\/em><\/strong>\u2026<\/p>\n\n\n\n In other words, \u201cwe\u201d<\/em><\/strong> get in the way. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Thankfulness \u2014 gratitude \u2014 is a fantastic example of such.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Long ago I was impressed with the wisdom that thanksgiving is a practice; it\u2019s not simply a singular holiday in which the turkey is carved, carbs are flowing, and everyone dives into a celebratory piece of pumpkin pie. (And sorry \u2014 but acknowledging my clear, polarizing bias \u2014 if pumpkin pie was so good, why aren\u2019t we eating it throughout the rest of the year??) <\/em>\ud83d\ude42<\/p>\n\n\n\n As averred earlier last week, \u201cwhatever we pay attention to grows.\u201d Gratitude is clearly a virtue, value and practice that the more we pay attention to it, the more frequently it swells up in us \u2014 the more we do it, think it, and engage in it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n And the reason that\u2019s key is because gratitude is directed at someone other than self. <\/p>\n\n\n\n We thank another person\u2026<\/p>\n\n\n\n We thank our country\u2026<\/p>\n\n\n\n We thank our Creator\u2026<\/p>\n\n\n\n That intentional stepping outside of ourselves and the subsequent giving of thanks, keeps us more humble. It also assists us from becoming so self-absorbed and therefore futile in our own thinking.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The reason I thus love Josh\u2019s response is because I find him wrestling with these virtues, values, and practices right in front of me; more often than me \u2014 definitely faster than me \u2014 he takes advantage of the daily opportunities in front of him to glean wisdom. He doesn\u2019t need to read the lengthier (and wise)<\/em> words of M. J. Ryan in Attitudes of Gratitude: How to Give and Receive Joy Every Day of Your Life<\/em> (1999):<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cWhen you are grateful, it is impossible to also be hateful, angry, or fearful.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n Read that again, friends\u2026 what a beautiful, selfless thing\u2026 <\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cWhen you are grateful, it is impossible to also be hateful, angry, or fearful.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n So as Josh reminded me\u2026<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cMom, it\u2019s not Thanksgiving any more.\u201d To which \u2014 taking advantage of the opportunity \u2014 he responded with a renewed, obvious glee in his voice\u2026<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cI\u2019m thankful for you, too.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n Respectfully\u2026<\/p>\n\n\n\n AR My youngest son called when I was out yesterday. If you\u2019re a longtime Intramuralist reader, you\u2019ll know we are often taught much through the simple; we are often taught much through the simple, wise words of this astute young man. Downs is not a definer for him; it simply is one of the lenses through … <\/p>\n
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\n\u201cI know. I\u2019m still thankful for you.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n
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\n\u201cI know. I\u2019m still thankful for you.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n
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