Not being thankful enough is one of many flaws in my personality. I am thankful for a lot of things—I just sometimes forget that I am!

Whenever Thanksgiving rolls around, I always ponder the things I should be grateful for. There are so many items that I get frustrated trying to think of them all. Once I get my head around them, I really am thankful on that Thursday in November. But my challenge is to remember to be thankful for them all again two days later—and two days after that.

So I have decided to write a list and put it on my fridge door. Actually, if the list were to include all the items I am really thankful for, my whole refrigerator would be covered in paper! Here’s my abbreviated list:

• When I can’t find my keys, my phone or my glasses, I need to be thankful that there is a husband who usually can.

• When I am in bumper-to-bumper traffic, I need to calm down and be thankful I have a car.

• When I can’t find the right dress to wear to a party, I need to be thankful that I have a choice and an invitation.

• When my heater doesn’t work and the gutters need cleaning, I need to be thankful that I have shelter.

• When I am exhausted and want to prop my feet up, I need to be thankful that my soles are not in combat boots fighting for everyone else to be able to prop up their feet.

• When I am tired of cooking and everyone else is watching football, I need to be thankful that I have food to cook and someone to share a meal with.

• When I get angry with those politicians, I need to stop and realize that I have the right to vote them out.

• When I get aches and pains, I need to be thankful that my body is still with me.

• When I get sad and life goes downhill for a bit, I need to be thankful for the friend that helps me go back uphill.

• When I worry about my children, I need to be thankful that I still have children to worry about.

• When grief seeps into my soul for a lost loved one, I need to be thankful that God blessed me with love.

I remember one Thanksgiving, when my brother John was about 13 and was asked to say the blessing. My mother had prepared the usual feast, and that year we had our grandparents and other relatives joining us.

My brother was not happy about saying the prayer. He gave my mother a look and then scanned the table: turkey, dressing, gravy, cranberries, green beans, salad, biscuits, corn and mashed potatoes.

We collectively bowed our heads as John said his blessing: “Dear Lord, we thank you so much for these mashed potatoes. Amen.”

Before everyone looked up, my mother added, “And Lord, thank you for my child at least being honest!”

Everyone died laughing as my brother piled his plate with mashed potatoes.

All those family members are now gone, including my brother. To this day, when I tell that story it still brings laughter. So I will add to my list: “Thank you, God, for family, those present and those now with you, and for all the laughter they brought and bring to my life.”

I hope your Thanksgiving is complete with a big spoonful of mashed potatoes and plates of laughter. Perhaps make your own list of things to be thankful for again two days later, and two days after that.