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A Christmas Story. One of my favorite holiday films. The scene of Ralphie, trapped in that ridiculous pink bunny suit his aunt insisted on giving him, takes me back to my own childhood — moments when well-meaning gifts from visiting relatives felt awkward. I remember feeling unsure how to respond, caught between honesty and politeness. In those moments, my mom quietly shaped who I am today, teaching me that saying “thank you” isn’t about how much I like the gift. It’s about recognizing the effort and thought behind every gesture — for a gift is a gift, whether carefully chosen or not she’d tell me. But sometimes, blessings come to us that go far beyond ordinary gifts. They touch us deeply, transform us, and call for more than polite acknowledgment—just like in the Biblical story of the ten lepers. Ten people healed, ten lives changed — yet only one returned to say thank you. Imagine that one healed leper: a man who had lived in isolation, shunned by everyone, invisible and unwanted. Leprosy had cost him more than health — it cost him community, dignity, hope. Most of the other healed lepers ran off, thrilled for themselves, caught up in their own relief, but the one leper paused. His limbs, once numb or disfigured, now moved freely. His face, no longer marred, could smile. He could breathe fully. He could hope again. That pause changed him — not just his circumstance, but his heart. For he didn’t just notice he was healed; he noticed the One who healed him. He then turned back, fell at Jesus’ feet, and offered more than words — he offered recognition, awe, humility, a heart fully present--the definition of deeper gratitude. When Jesus asked, “Where are the others?” I don’t believe it was a scolding, but an important reminder that blessings become sacred when we pause to see them. Gratitude reshapes how we see the world, strengthens our relationships, draws out joy, and makes ordinary moments shine. From the awkward childhood bunny suits to the gifts, moments, and people that shape our lives, we can notice the care, thought, and love behind each act of kindness — every breath, every sunrise, every miracle. Even life itself, often overlooked, is a precious gift to be thankful for. This Thanksgiving, while we sit around candlelit tables with plenty to share, may we think about those we can bless, invite those who are alone, remember those who sit at a grander heavenly table, and also reflect on the one healed leper who returned — the one who shows us that true gratitude is more than words. True gratitude pauses to take in the full weight of what we’ve been given, opens our eyes to what really matters, and shapes the way we live each day, filling our hearts with thankfulness…...far beyond a single day in November. ~Karina Garrison
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