Thanksgiving is my favorite holiday. It might even be the one single day a year that the entire country pauses, looks around the table, and remembers what really matters. I hope that in our home, Thanksgiving embodies the values we want to pass along to our kids: gratitude and generosity.
Why Gratitude and Generosity Matter
Some would say these are “feel-good” slogans, but they aren’t. They’re practices that make us healthier, happier and spiritually wealthier. And their habits that don’t require money. Only intention and time.
Every Thanksgiving Eve, our family joins hundreds of volunteers with VISTE, preparing meals for local seniors who might otherwise spend the holiday alone. Kids and adults coming together to prepare hot meals, colorful drawings and a small poinsettia for each of our 800 clients. It’s loud, chaotic, joyful and humbling.
When our kids see people working together for something bigger than themselves, it plants seeds that I believe will grow for a lifetime. They probably won’t grasp the whole picture yet, but we get to show them what “love in action” looks like.
Stewardship Through Wellness
The next morning, we have another tradition: the Thanksgiving workout at the Lakeland Athletic Club. We roll in with bedheads, tired eyes and a baby on one hip. But we show up anyway because taking care of our bodies is another form of stewardship. A reminder that our health is one of God’s greatest gifts. We sweat, we laugh, and we earn our turkey!
One of my favorite moments is right before the meal, we gather around, hands held, and we share what we’re thankful for. Some years it’s deep, some years it’s silly. Once it was “I’m grateful for ketchup.” And honestly? That’s a perfect answer too. Gratitude doesn’t have to be polished; it just has to be real.
There’s powerful science behind these simple words. Studies show that gratitude reduces stress, improves sleep a, strengthens relationships, and boosts optimism. A grateful heart is a healthier heart. It shifts our focus from what we don’t have to the abundance already in our lives.
The Power of a Grateful Heart
As a financial advisor, I spend a lot of time helping families build wealth that lasts. But here’s the truth I keep coming back to: money can buy comfort, but it can’t buy connection. You can save, invest, and plan (and you should), but without gratitude and generosity, wealth can feel empty.
Doing these traditions year after year isn’t to check a box or because it’s expected. It’s because repetition turns values into identity. I hope our daughters grow up learning that when you lead with gratitude and give with joy, you will discover you were rich all along.
November 2025
