For my family November has always felt like a month that asks us to slow down a little, look around, and appreciate the people and blessings we sometimes take for granted. This is the month when Suzzane passed and also my grandmother and my dad so there are good days and bad days. Especially with my Birthday being yesterday and the car going down I was ready to throw in the towel.
The leaves are changing and they are so pretty, the mornings are getting cooler and I can walk which I am grateful, thankful and blessed for, and Thanksgiving is just around the corner. I can’t wait for it. How about you? Before we know it, Christmas decorations will be coming out of storage and there already in the stores. Tell me what happened to one Holiday at a time? , holiday music is playing, and our calendars will begin filling up with family gatherings and celebrations.
But before we rush into Christmas, I want to take a moment to enjoy November. Here at Greatful Moments, our motto is Grateful, Thankful, and Blessed because that is how I want to live my life and for David and Charlie to as well. I hope you do tool.
For my family those aren’t just pretty words to put on a website or a holiday decoration. They’re reminders of how I want to approach life, even on the days when things don’t go according to plan. And believe me, life doesn’t always go according to plan! If you don’t believe me you should have been here yesterday.
When people think about gratitude, Thanksgiving dinner is probably one of the first things that comes to mind. We gather around the table, share a meal, and take turns talking about what we’re thankful for. But gratitude doesn’t have to wait until Thanksgiving it should happen everyday. .
Sometimes gratitude is found in the first cup of coffee in the morning, a phone call from someone you love, a funny conversation with your children, or a quiet evening at home. It’s also about recognizing the little things that make an ordinary day special which is nice.
I believe God sends us little reminders that we are never alone. Sometimes those reminders come through people, unexpected kindness, a beautiful butterfly, or a moment that makes us stop and smile. I call those moments Godwinks. This November, I want to encourage everyone to look for those little blessings.
You don’t need an expensive celebration or a perfectly decorated home to have something worth appreciating. Sometimes the best blessings are already sitting right beside us. One thing I’ve learned over the years is that children may not remember every present they receive, every meal we prepare, or every decoration we put up. But they often remember the traditions.
They remember watching holiday movies together, helping in the kitchen, decorating the house, reading books before bedtime, and the silly things that made everyone laugh. Some of my favorite memories come from the simple traditions our family has shared throughout the years.
Whether it’s watching a favorite holiday special, preparing a family recipe, playing a board game, or spending an evening talking, these are the moments that become part of our family story. You don’t have to spend a fortune to create holiday memories. Try having a family movie night, making homemade decorations, baking cookies, reading a Thanksgiving story, or letting everyone help plan dinner. The important thing isn’t making everything perfect. It’s making time for one another.
November can also bring mixed emotions. While Thanksgiving is a time for gathering, it can remind us of the people who are no longer here to celebrate with us. There are empty chairs, familiar voices we wish we could hear again, and traditions that feel different without someone special. I know that feeling personally.
Losing someone you love doesn’t mean you stop loving them. Their memories become part of the holidays, part of the family stories, and part of who you are. Sometimes we remember them through a favorite recipe, a photograph, a song, or a little tradition they started.
If someone is missing from your Thanksgiving table this year, please know that it’s okay to miss them. It’s okay to laugh and cry in the same afternoon. You can be thankful for the memories while wishing you had just one more day together. I believe remembering those we love is another way of keeping their stories alive.
For me, November is also a reminder to appreciate the people God places in our lives. Family doesn’t always look the same from one household to another. Sometimes our family includes lifelong friends, neighbors, people who have become like family, and those who show up when we need them most.
A phone call, a handwritten note, a visit, or simply asking someone how they are doing can mean more than we realize. We should never underestimate the power of kindness. If you know someone who might be spending Thanksgiving alone, consider inviting them over, sharing a meal, or checking in. A little kindness can make someone’s entire holiday brighter.
Simple Ways to Celebrate November as a Family You don’t need an elaborate schedule to make November special. Here are a few ideas to get everyone involved.
- Start a Gratitude Jar: Keep a jar on the kitchen counter. Have everyone write down something they’re thankful for and read the notes together on Thanksgiving.
- Read Thanksgiving Books: Choose books about gratitude, family, friendship, and the meaning of Thanksgiving. Make reading together part of your evening routine.
- Have a Thanksgiving Movie Night: Pick a favorite family movie or Thanksgiving television special, make some popcorn, and enjoy an evening together.
- Make Homemade Decorations: Use construction paper, leaves, and inexpensive craft supplies to create decorations for your Thanksgiving table.
- Prepare a Family Recipe: Let children help prepare a favorite dish or dessert. Write down the recipe so it can be passed along to future generations.
- Share a Kindness Challenge: Encourage everyone to do one thoughtful thing for someone else each day.
- Call Someone You Miss: November is a wonderful time to reconnect with family members and friends. Don’t wait for someone else to make the first call.
- Take Family Pictures: You don’t need matching outfits or professional photographs. Capture the ordinary moments, too.
- Create a Memory Book: Collect photographs, stories, and little notes about the things your family enjoyed throughout the year.
- Say Thank You: Sometimes the simplest tradition is telling the people around us how much they mean to us.
November also marks the beginning of one of my favorite times of the year. Thanksgiving leads us into Christmas, and before long, homes will be filled with lights, decorations, music, and the excitement of the holidays. Here at Greatful Moments, we’ll be sharing ideas to help families enjoy the season together.
Look for family-friendly recipes, holiday books, gift ideas, Christmas activities, crafts, local events, movie nights, and ways to make the holidays meaningful without spending a fortune. I especially love finding ways to bring reading, learning, and family traditions together.
Whether you’re planning a quiet Thanksgiving at home or a house full of relatives, there is something special about making time for the people you love. And remember, you don’t have to do everything. You don’t have to have the biggest Thanksgiving dinner, the prettiest decorations, or the most expensive gifts. You just need to make room for the things that matter.
As we move through this month, I hope you’ll take a few minutes each day to recognize something good in your life. Maybe it’s your family. Maybe it’s a friend who has stood beside you through difficult times. Maybe it’s your faith, your home, your health, or simply another opportunity to begin again.
And if this November is difficult for you, I hope you remember that gratitude doesn’t mean pretending everything is wonderful. It means finding something worth holding onto, even when life is hard. From my family to yours, I hope November brings you opportunities to slow down, share a meal, make memories, extend kindness, and appreciate the people who make your life special.
May your home be filled with laughter, your heart with gratitude, and your days with little reminders of how blessed we truly are. Happy November, friends! And as always, remember to be Grateful, Thankful, and Blessed.
GratefulMoments.com
Greatful. Thankful. Blessed.
Thank you,
Glenda, Charlie and David Cates
