Making Room for Gratitude

Dave and Mercedes Rizzo remind parents to look past their current challenges and reflect on the positive impact their children have on others.

In the month of November, we are reminded of the importance of gratitude and being grateful. It is a good time to think and reflect on the many good things in our lives. However, sometimes it’s hard to see past your current troubles. Parents of children with special needs know this feeling well especially when the challenges their children face loom large.

It’s essential to cultivate gratitude. One way to do this is to reflect upon the progress your child has made and the positive impact he or she has had on others. We have caught glimpses of this in the open-hearted reactions of others. We know that our daughter Danielle has had a profound effect on many people, including her siblings, family members, therapists, teachers, doctors and even total strangers. We know that our children have greater empathy and compassion for people with disabilities because of their sister.

little girl on swings

We believe that God intends for all of His children to be seen as special gifts. Each has been uniquely created in the image and likeness of God, our loving Father. This is a good place to begin when you are finding it hard to cultivate gratitude.

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We believe that God intends for all of His children to be seen as special gifts #catholicmom

This Thanksgiving, let us be reminded of all the joy that our children have brought us. Prayer can give all of us the opportunity to cultivate a joyous spirit. We can pray with confidence, knowing that God will direct us and fill us with joy. In this way our steps will be lighter, our shoulders no longer quite so hunched, our hearts lightened too. Now there is room for gratitude to enter and overflow into true thanksgiving.

girl laughing