Gratitude is the inward feeling of kindness received. Thankfulness is the natural impulse to express that feeling. Thanksgiving is the following of that impulse. – Henry Van Dyke

Gratitude and thankfulness are often in my mind the last week or so since Oliver was born.

Henry Van Dyke suggests I follow my impulse to be thankful and I thought I would do so in written form today (hopefully soon to be followed by acting thankful, every day).

I have so many things to be thankful for in particular over this last week or so and I wanted to share a few of them.

A good woman is hard to find, and worth far more than diamonds. – Proverbs 31:10

I am very blessed to have married a good woman. No one in the world could care for our little family like she does. It truly is remarkable to see a mother at work.

I am very thankful for Meaghan.

Every successful individual knows that his or her achievement depends on a community of persons working together. -Paul Ryan

I am very grateful for the communities that our family is a part of. We have had a ridiculous amount of good food cooked for us and hand delivered. We had a live in helper for the first week. I took two weeks off of work while everyone else manned the fort at Mavidea.

And those are just the ones I can think of off the top of my head quickly. The support and love we have gotten from our community has been humbling and we will be forever grateful.

I am very thankful for all of you.

I am very thankful to God for all of this and the many other blessings in my life.

Make it a great day.

Jake