Words of Thanks from my Son

Yesterday my son and I enjoyed a walk around the perimeter of our back yard, peering into the woods for signs of animal tracks. We found tracks of our neighbors dogs, possibly a cat, and possibly a squirrel or a rabbit. We took photos and had fun. The air temperature was right around 30 degrees with a bright and sunny sky, the snow seeming to shimmer like crystals or diamonds.

Once back inside and stripped of our winter wear, we sat down for a snack of hot chocolate and graham crackers. I placed my son's snack down in front of him and turned around to get mine from the counter.

"Thank-yous!" my son announced and placed his hands together into a prayer position. "Thank-yous" are what we call "saying grace" in our home.

"I'm thank-you for you and for snow and for the sunny sky and for hot cocoa and for all God has given us!" My son enthusiastically stated.

My heart swelled and tears came to my eyes. It was the first time I'd ever heard him give thanks to God. He is a very thankful little boy and always has much to be thankful for. It was the first time, however, he'd ever on his own attributed any of our blessings to God.

"I like that thank-you, D." I said softly.

"Mom, I am thank-you for ALLLLLL God gives us!" he said again. "AMEN!"

"Amen," I echoed, placing my plate on the table next to him.

We ate together in silence for the next few minutes, gazing out the back window to the woods, the sun shining brightly through the trees and onto the frozen pond beyond.