Gratitude is the gift I give myself. When I pause to appreciate and remember gifts received, I experience the feelings again in real time. This is especially true when I remember the gift of unconditional love.

This is love given freely and without expectation or obligation. My first remembered experience with this kind of love was from my second-grade teacher, Sr. Bridget, an IHM sister. I was having a hard time learning to read and my mother pleaded with the principal not to hold me back. Sr. Bridget volunteered to work with me for 15 minutes after school each day. I was skeptical but Sr. Bridget acted like I was worth her time and effort. Within weeks I became a voracious reader and still am to this day. Each time I think of her “gift” I feel I am worth something all over again.

What grateful memories do you have?