Raise your hand if you still remember the song “The Wise Man Built His House upon the Rock?” I admit it has been a minute since I have had little kids underfoot. But I still remember all of the wonderful songs (and hand motions) that I would sing when my kiddos were little. This song was always a favorite—probably because of the ‘crash’ the kids got to act out at the end.

My family has had some good laughs this week as we have discussed what our ideal Thanksgiving meal would be. Turns out that we like a lot of the traditional side dishes, but not turkey. We have made it all kinds of ways—different brines, roasting, smoking—but no one except my mom wants it.

As I prepare for our Thanksgiving meal, it occurs to me that I should add my home to my list of things for which I am grateful. Recognizing the blessings in my life has been a simple task this week, but profound. How often we take the mundane for granted and we miss some of our greatest blessings.

I am thankful for the privilege of serving family caregivers. Not everyone understands what it is like to be responsible for another person through countless doctor’s appointments, turning their home into a small hospital, and committing themselves to round-the-clock care. I have been there, but I didn’t always know what I was supposed to with that information.

Gathered around my Thanksgiving table this year will be my teenaged kids, my husband, and my mom. Each unique and special in their own way, but today I want to talk about being thankful as a mother.