Perhaps this is not true of you, but I often fail to be thankful until what I take for granted is missing. In this Thanksgiving month, I am grateful bit by bit for a working drain pipe. My thanks has several aspects:
1. The leak below the kitchen sink was a small one, and the spread across the kitchen floor could be avoided by not using the drain.
2. On Thursday, the first plumber, son of the plumber-yet-to-be-called, realized the leak was beyond his pay grade and referred us to his father.
3. The father set up an appointment for the next day.
4. The father cared enough about the project he was already working to finish it to the end, pushing ours until after the weekend. Why was the wait a thankful? It made me think he would take the same care when he got here.
5. The father plumber and a different son arrived early Monday morning. They efficiently and pleasantly pulled out a pipe with a hole (circa 1970), replaced it with a new pipe, and cleaned up the mess – all at a reasonable price.
6. A handy woodworking husband took the opportunity to replace the sink cabinet flooring (probably also circa 1970) and caulk all pipes. He’s not the kind to leave things to chance.
So, what do I learn from this? The same thing I always learn – for a few days – I’ll not take so many 
things for granted. I think, at least for the next week, I will remember to be grateful that the oven cooks, the central heat comes on, the washing machine fills with water, etc. I’ll notice that my mattress is firm and my pillow soft. I’ll smile at the construction paper turkeys from two special redheads on the freezer. I’ll savor the home-cooked meals I share across the counter from Allen. Unfortunately, I’m prone to forget again and take it all for granted. Maybe that’s why we set aside this special time in November to help those of us who need gratitude reminders.
For each of my readers, I wish a happy Thanksgiving filled with appreciation for the good things – large and small – that have come your way.