Looking Up

While driving to school each morning, I ask Elliot & his sister Rachel to tell me at least 3 things they're grateful for. Despite his innate creativity, Elliot tends to get stuck on this and has developed some standard replies - such as: "I'm grateful its Friday and I don't have school tomorrow" or "I'm grateful for my new Star Wars game." But, he does manage to come up with some insightful, heart-felt gratitude. Here are a few I've collected this fall:

I'm grateful that...
* I got to use the hedge trimmers to help clean up the yard
* That Louis (our dog of 13 years who was recently put down) got to have one last vacation at the Lake Farm.
* I have a nice bed to sleep in at night
* I got a 100% on my science test
* Its cold out so I can wear long pants to hide my braces
* We have a new baby cousin - "Charlotte is SO cute"
* Mom makes such good hot cocoa in the morning
* I don't have any surgeries this school year
* My teachers like me
* We found a copy of the final "Charlie Bone" book series

It's not easy for Elliot to see the positive in his life. But, by looking for the small stuff each day, I think he's cultivating a knack for seeing how blessed his life truly is...

- Tracy "Aka: Mom"