Gratitude

Question: For what three things am I thankful for right now?

My Story:

For Bette, Gratitude isn’t something she practices. It’s something she lives. Now in her late 80s, she says it comes as naturally as breathing. “I just notice things,” she explains. “And I feel grateful almost instantly.”

Throughout her life, Gratitude has been both anchor and guide. As a nurse, wife, and mother, she learned early to appreciate small blessings amid long days and hard work. She never expected life to hand her anything; everything she achieved came through effort and perseverance. That’s why, she says, Gratitude feels like common sense. It’s her way of seeing the world.

Bette raised a close, loving family, and today she frequently talks (maybe even brags a bit) about the deep fondness she has for her sons-in-law. “When I hear people complain about theirs,” she says with a laugh, “I realize how lucky I am. They are so good to me.” Her appreciation extends far beyond family, though. Whether it’s a neighbor who drives her to bridge games, a store clerk who takes the time to chat, or a AAA technician who recently came to jump-start her car and did it with genuine kindness, Bette notices. And she never lets a kindness pass unacknowledged.

She believes her Gratitude has deepened with age. Life has brought its share of challenges, times when she’s had to lean on others. But those moments, she says, only expanded her sense of appreciation. “Sometimes perfect strangers are just wonderful,” she reflects. “And when people help you, it reminds you how good the world can be and how fortunate I am.”

For Bette, Gratitude isn’t about grand gestures or special occasions. It’s woven into the fabric of every day. It shows up in her positive attitude, her steady thank-yous, and the way she sees beauty in ordinary moments. Gratitude, she says, keeps her grounded, joyful, and aware of just how much there is to be thankful for.

“Gratitude isn’t something I have to work at. It’s just how I see the world. Every day, there’s always something or someone to appreciate.”

- Bette