This week, many of us will give thanks.

If we are fortunate enough to be able to gather around our family’s or friend’s table for Thanksgiving dinner, most of us will probably even state aloud something in our lives for which we are thankful.

I mean, after all, it is in the holiday’s title.

It doesn’t always have to be the grandest, most-important things in life, either. We can be thankful for the smaller things, too.

Like everyone, I am naturally thankful for my family. My children and grandson. For my mother and step-father, my brother, my dogs and most importantly, for God giving us the gift of His son, Jesus. These are already my everyday prayers of thanks. So, how about we discuss the minor things for which we are grateful?

I believe that every once in a while, we should be able to simply say, “Thank you,” for these things as well.

For instance, I am extremely thankful when I actually have a day off. They are few and far between. But once every couple of weeks, it does happen. There will be a few minutes of time to myself and it is amazing. Amazing.

I’m thankful for a day or afternoon where I can stay in my pajamas and slippers under a warm, fuzzy blanket, and just watch television. If you happen to knock on my door and I don’t answer, it is more-than-likely because I am in my pajamas and slippers, watching television.

I am grateful for books you can actually hold in your hand and physically turn the pages rather than flipping the screen of an electronic Kindle device.

Thankful for those warm summer days when the sun is shining and I am actually off to enjoy it.

To be able to cut the grass or wash the car and cook outdoors is a perfect day, in my opinion. But in continuing with the luck that I was blessed with, the weather is pretty-much forecasted to rain on every single one of my days off.

I am not very thankful for that. Although I am thankful for the beautiful flowers rain brings.

I am thankful to still have my 2 13-year-old dogs in my life. Despite their health deteriorating, and the days when they are in extreme physical pain, I am so very grateful they are still mine for a little while longer.

It took me a while, but I have learned to be grateful for being that single mom who raised three boys by herself but to the best of her ability.

No, I wasn’t the greatest mom in the world, but I can see now, when looking at my boys today, that they learned what a strong work-ethic is. For that, I am thankful. And when they say they learned that from me, that is the best compliment I could ever receive. For that, I am beyond thankful.

I am thankful to have a job that I love and another job that I really enjoy doing. I am thankful for co-workers who have shown me extreme kindness and for their newfound friendships.

I am grateful for a home that I love and a vehicle which runs at least half the time now.

Thankful for Starbucks coffee, chocolate of pretty-much any kind and Gus’s Goodies cake.

I am thankful to those of you who take the time to read my column when I have the time to write one.

And I am grateful to the pastor of the Rush Run Community Chapel, James Monogioudis, for always writing me such lovely messages about my writings. I thank you with all my heart.

You know, sometimes, it is just about the little things and the moments of happiness they bring to your life.

But no matter what you are thankful for this year, I wish you a Happy Thanksgiving.