We watch what we eat, November is the season when we’re naturally reminded to give thanks. But gratitude isn’t only about scrumptious dinners and holiday tables. It’s about noticing the ties that hold our lives together every single day. The bonds with family, the friendships that steady us, and the companions who fill our homes with joy.
Some ties are woven in big, obvious ways. We recognize the importance of our marriages, children, and lifelong friends. Others are quieter but just as powerful: the neighbor we wave to on our morning walk, the friend we text just to check in, the phone call we finally make to someone we’ve been meaning to reach out to. These seemingly small threads create the beautiful fabric of our lives.
Of course, life isn’t always easy, and relationships can sometimes feel downright exhausting. Add in our endless busyness… working, keeping up with responsibilities, moving through the motions of daily life… and it doesn’t exactly feel like living, does it? Maybe you’ve had moments when stress leaves you feeling withdrawn, when zoning out in front of the television feels easier than engaging with the people you love. I’ll admit, I don’t always look forward to gatherings either. Sometimes I’m tired and tempted to stay home, convincing myself it’ll be simpler to skip the party, or that I just need more rest. But almost without fail, every time I do show up, I leave saying the same thing: “That was fun, and I’m so glad I went.” That’s the paradox of connection, it requires effort, but the return is always greater than what we put in. A simple conversation, a laugh across the table, a shared story, these are the moments that remind us why these ties matter so much.
And then there are the ties that leave paw prints on our hearts. For me, that was my cocker spaniel Jackson. He passed away three years ago, and not a day goes by that I don’t miss him. Jackson brought so much joy into our lives. Nearly every day, I’d sit at the bottom of the stairs and toss toys while he bounded back and forth, tail wagging, eyes sparkling. Oh, and he loved shrimp, yes, shrimp – and he made us laugh constantly. He was never far from Brian or me, often curled up on the couch with us for naps. As he grew older, we noticed little changes. At 14, he began hiding in the closet, circling the house, barking at nothing at all. Even then, his presence was comforting. And then one day, he was gone.
I can’t talk about Jackson without getting choked up. He was the best dog ever… the kind of companion who turned ordinary days into extraordinary memories. Losing him was heartbreaking, but I remain endlessly grateful for the years of love he gave us. That bond was one of the purest ties of my life. How about you? Do you have a furry friend? If you do, love them with intention, because their lifespans are heartbreakingly shorter than ours. And if you don’t, maybe you’ll consider adopting one. Pets have a way of teaching us how to give and receive love in its simplest, most unconditional form.
Losing a family member, a friend or a loving pet reminds us how fragile and fleeting our connections can be. Whether with people or pets, the ties that hold us close are never guaranteed. Relationships require our attention, our presence, and sometimes our forgiveness. Too often we assume there will always be more time, another holiday, another chance to say what matters. But love isn’t something to postpone. The best way to honor the bonds in our lives is to cherish them now in small, everyday ways, before they become the memories we cling to later. And that’s where gratitude shows its power: it keeps us present.
As November reminds us to give thanks, I encourage you to look beyond the holiday table. Gratitude is about tending to the ties we often overlook. Let’s get busy hugging the people we love, making the call we’ve been putting off, leaning into connection even when it’s easier to pull away. Because it’s the ties of love, laughter and companionship that carry us through our lives. So as this holiday season begins, let’s be more mindful of those ties. Let’s nurture them. Notice them. Be thankful for them – not just in November, but every day. Because in the end, it’s those ties that hold us close, and make our lives worth living. Earth: the great outdoors, and it’s been waiting for you all along.