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November 24, 2008 · Derek

Giving Thanks

There are a lot of markers throughout the year that remind us to give thanks, but I appreciate a good solid holiday focused specifically on it. Expressing gratitude is an art form, and as I have mentioned previously I believe it is a necessary component of philanthropy; some might even argue that it is the seed of philanthropy. I try to find reasons to be grateful every day, even the tough days when it’s a challenge to see through the fog. So in honor of Thanksgiving I’ve listed a few things I give thanks for and I hope you will join me in adding to the list.

I give thanks for my neighbors who come out on their porches to wave hello while we’re in the yard raking leaves.
I am thankful for uncomfortable conversations that make me slow down and consider new perspectives.
I am thankful for the innovation and passion of the Board of Directors of the Community Foundation for creating a bold new initiative that values inclusion and community driven solutions.
I am thankful for a group of friends who have been coming together once a month to learn about investing in Tacoma.
I am thankful to the community volunteers on the grants distribution committee who challenge me and inspire me to do my job well and I am thankful for colleagues that make every day in the office fun.
I am thankful for a well pulled shot in a short cup, giving me the morning space I need to think deeply in preparation for my day.
I am thankful for a group of community leaders who are still committed, after two years of meetings, to discussing the safety of and respect for the youth in our community. I am especially thankful that they have trusted the process and that they acknowledge for this work to be done well, it has to come about organically.
I am thankful, as squirrels chatter high above the electrical lines, that the fall apologized profusely for the rainy summer by giving us windy, warm days and trees on fire with purple and orange .
I am thankful for my home and for a piece of sourdough with a huge pat of butter.
I am thankful for people who work with integrity and graciousness, who often do their work quietly and without recognition to make their community better places.
I am thankful for donors who are creative, who call me up asking, how can we preserve trees? what can we do to make sure everyone has a warm jacket this winter? is there something we can fund to promote social justice issues for women?

Giving thanks opens a space in your heart to reveal a raw kind of hope that brings us closer to relationship. Give thanks.

11 comments

  • Whitney staff November 24, 2008

    I am thankful for bacon.

  • cy November 24, 2008

    I am thankful for kids that give their own money to help someone else.

  • Marguerite November 24, 2008

    I am thankful for my crazy mixed up family.

    I am thankful for Infinite Soups’ delcious affordable lunches and Corina’s delicious affordable home made bread.

    I am thankful for the Grand Cinema for letting me volunteer and for the free movie passes that go along with that.

    I am thankful that so far my friends, family, and I are weathering the global financial crisis with minimal discomfort.

  • Whitney staff November 24, 2008

    Ok Ok. I’m thankful for many other things besides bacon. But most of all:

    I’m thankful my sister and new niece are healthy.

    I’m thankful I get to spend Thanksgiving with my family.

  • J. Cote November 25, 2008

    I am thankful for people like Kristen Bedford that work hard to make the community a better place for everyone.
    I am thankful for a wife that puts up with my moods, my rants, my highs and my lows and at the end of it all, loves me all the more.
    I am thankful for three brilliant sons that make me proud every day and one strong-hearted daughter that strives daily to make the world a safer place for my beautiful granddaughters.
    I’m thankful to God for giving me food to eat, sunsets to melt my heart and blueberries for pie.
    I’m thankful for any nights sleep that isn’t full of past horrors and any day in which I can find joy.

  • holden November 25, 2008

    “When one door closes another door opens; but we so often look so long and so regretfully upon the closed door, that we do not see the ones which open for us.”

    I can finally say that I am thankful for getting laid off 2 years ago. If I was in that job I would have missed the opportunity of my current job which is far more rewarding.

    I am thankful for my friend for having faith in me to do the work I’m doing now.

    I’m also thankful for the strength to believe in myself.

  • Squid November 25, 2008

    I am thankful for Tina Fey, and for her inspiration, Sarah Palin.

  • Patricia November 26, 2008

    I am thankful for my loving husband. But not thankful I got laid off from two different jobs in the past thirteen months. Life is hard!

  • John K November 26, 2008

    My friend opens doors
    I don’t want to look into.
    She makes my heart soar,

  • Jesse November 30, 2008

    My Dad died on the 25th of this month from a long battle with stomach cancer. I am thankful he died in his sleep, peacefully, while holding my Moms hand – just like he wanted. I am also so thankful that I had the privilidge to have him as my Dad.

  • Heather December 1, 2008

    I am thankful for new friends who graciously and generously allowed us to invade their kitchen while they were away so that we could cook our turkey. I’m also thankful for the turkey and the inspirational woman who raised it, Cheryl Ouillete.