The bitter election season is behind us and the Holiday Season is before us. Thanksgiving is a national day to “count your blessings”, a phrase that conjures in my mind an old-fashioned Grandma telling her grandchildren to stop complaining. But as I look around the nursery, there is so much that needs to be done! It’s hard work. It doesn’t pay that great. It’s rainy and cold outside. And it feels like no matter how many native plants I grow, whole ecosystems are being destroyed faster than I can shake a live stake at!

“Come on”, says Grandma, “a smile is just a frown turned upside down! Turn your attitude into gratitude!”

So I take another look at the nursery. I get to participate in this lovely little business, which gets me outside, gives me plenty of exercise and supports environmental healing. I can be thankful for the plants that I don’t see in front of me, that now are part of that healing. They have become (however briefly) Money-in-the-Bank, preparing to become part of the local economy. I’m thankful for my customers and suppliers, the other growers that do this good work and for the growing public appreciation of native plants and natural areas.

“Good! Good!!” coaxes the Grandma-voice. “But can you think bigger? Remember, Gratitude becomes Kindness!”

Can I expand my gratitude beyond my own personal world? Can I expand my gratitude to include not only the obvious blessings I enjoy as an inhabitant of the USA but also the national-character-building challenges we face? Why not?

So Happy Thanksgiving from this Douglas Fir-hugging, Huckleberry-munching Libtard Eco-freak Grandma to all the inhabitants of these amazing united states of America! Let’s make America grateful again!

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