What I’m Thankful For This Year

“I am grateful for the small and the grand, the seen and the unseen, the lessons and the love that shape my life.”

Hey Love,

Do you smell that? It’s the smell of love, deep reflection, and gratitude. And this year, I am thankful for so much.

I am thankful for growth — the kind that shows up slowly and reshapes who I am. And for lessons learned through vulnerability, patience, humility, and hard choices. I'm thankful for courage and learning that I really can do hard things. 

I am thankful for my family — for the shared laughter, the chaos, and the hugs that linger just a little too long. For the small traditions that make a house a home. For the love that perseveres on days that are messy, and the patience that stretches thinner than what should be allowed.

I am thankful for my daughter — for her brilliance, her curiosity, and her laughter (and her requests to go to the potty every 15 minutes). I’m thankful for the moments when she teaches me as much as I teach her. And for the gentle reminder that joy is often found in the small things: adorning one another in stickers, listening to Chicka Chicka Boom Boom on repeat, and snacking on our crackers and our water.  

I am thankful for love — the kind that catches you off guard, exceeds your expectations, and reminds you every day that you were meant to be. The kind that fights for you. The kind that protects you. The kind that invests in you. The kind that is your safe space. The kind that you want to build with. The kind that you want to do life with—this lifetime, and the next, and the next. The kind that greets you first thing in the morning. And the kind that ends each day with tenderness and care. (Y’all, I really do love that man.)

I am thankful for friendships that are my chosen family — for people who hold space for me, who cheer me on loudly from the sidelines, and who show up when it matters most. The ones who I can cry and cuss with. The ones who I can share inappropriate jokes with. The ones who have seen me at my worst and never turned their backs on me. The ones who pray with and for me. The ones who I can go long periods of time without speaking to, and when we finally get together, we pick up right where we left off.

I am thankful for creativity and expression — the chance to write, to share, to shape thoughts into words that might touch someone else’s heart. For the ability to show up in my work with authenticity, softness, grace, and care.

I am thankful for ordinary moments that feel extraordinary — moonlight shining through my kitchen window, the sound of my daughter playing with her stuffed animals, the smell of a home cooked meal, making it home every day safe and sound. These small things remind me that gratitude is everywhere if we pause long enough to see it.

And I am thankful for you — the person reading these words. When I set out on my writing journey, I just wanted one person to read my work. I wanted one person to feel seen in my words. I wanted one person to know that we can share a small piece of this journey together. That even when it feels like no one understands or that you can’t quite find the words to express what you’re feeling, there’s someone on the opposite end of the screen who gets you. I deeply appreciate you for reading and resonating with my work.

This year, my gratitude is simple, yet deep. It’s a quiet reminder of the blessings that surround us. And makes this imperfect world we’re living in that much more beautiful.

With love,
Racquel