As Thanksgiving approaches, I find myself reflecting on the kind of gratitude that goes beyond a passing thought or a holiday tradition. It's the kind that sinks in deep, the kind that reminds you of how precious the simplest moments truly are.

This year, I'm especially aware of the blessings that once felt guaranteed, like having the chance to show up for the big milestones of life. Celebrating my daughter's wedding is one of those moments, a gift I don't take lightly.

Nearly 15 years ago, everything changed with my cancer diagnosis that broke my sense of certainty. As a busy mom of four little ones at the time, I rarely paused long enough to thank God for the small things: fresh air, a sunrise, another ordinary day. I assumed there'd always be more time.

Yet facing the fragility of life reshapes what you hold dear.

Too often, Thanksgiving gets rushed through now, squeezed between to-do lists and the start of the Christmas bustle. The day becomes another task rather than a sacred ...