Gratitude

grat·i·tude (a.) The state of being grateful; warm and friendly feeling toward a benefactor; kindness awakened by a favor received; thankfulness.

I recently read an article in the March 2010 Ensign about "Gratitude" and this article filled me with joy and happiness as I read and thought about it's meaning. As I read, I felt a great amount of gratitude towards all who have helped Amy and I in recent months and toward those throughout my life. What is gratitude? In the definition it says, "being grateful for and towards a benefactor." In the article, it states; Gratitude is a positive experience that comes from recognizing gifts or blessings and feeling thankful. It is also an "attitude" and a way of perceiving life in which individuals are willing to receive and acknowledge the beneficial actions of others on their behalf. Those who display this attitude have a "grateful disposition." Gratitude can become a habit that can focus us on our blessings in life and it can also have a profound effect of how we look at our life experiences.

The last 14 months in our life (Amy and I), have been full of challenges! The first 3 months of 2009 we knew that I would not be receiving a paycheck and a cut in hours, so we prepared for that, but we really had no idea of the rest of that year and finally losing my job in Sept and still being unemployed to the present time. During this time, we have been brought to our knees in prayer, fasting, study of the scriptures and putting all of our faith in our Heavenly Father for answers! Not to mention the sacrifice that our family and friends have given for our benefit! This we are truly grateful!

Prophets have taught us the importance of gratitude. The scriptures counsel us, " to give thanks in everything" (1 Thessalonians 5:18). To arise daily with a heart "full of thanks unto God" (Alma 37:37). Amy and I, give thanks each day for even the smallest thing. Food, Water and roof over our heads. One another, our growing understanding of our trials, our testimonies, the beauty that surrounds us, the abundant wildlife and within 5 minutes of being on and hiking a handful of mountain trails and paved pathways throughout the city.

This post is for me to show gratitude to all of those who I may have not shown the thanks for all they have done for me in my life and for Amy and I now. Recently, I learned that my cousin, Porter, had slipped and fallen to his death in a hiking accident. I miss him, but happy for him at the same time! I am glad to have had time to know him in his short mortal life and know that I will see him again. Porter worked with me one summer in the granite shop. We had a great time working together and sharing in our love of music. He introduced me to a band called Keane. They're one of my favorites! I love his family! I loved going over and joking around with Mark and laughing with the family and letting Susette finally talk me into blogging!

Amy and I have a great deal of gratitude for Dave and Roberta and their family for the help and support during our most trying months. Aunt Monica, I don't know if I ever told you how much I enjoyed going to the Symphony so many years ago. My grandparents for their love and support and their advice, which I always tried to listen too. I remember Grandpa Fisher patched me up once when I smashed my thumb with a hammer. I missed the nail completely and flattened my thumb. Cameron and I walked down to the house in Indian Hills from a few blocks away where my dad was working and I remember Grandpa taking great care cleaning away the blood and bandaging me up. He was great for a laugh and his constant teasing totally prepared me for Amy's grandfather! Blaine and Kathy for the fun and the best darn English Toffee the world has to offer!

I have many great memories with my brothers and sisters. Sarelle will call or email at any given time just to say hi and it usually starts out like, "Hey Davey" don't stop! Trent and Candace always ready to help out whatever the circumstance and for letting Blake come and visit Uncle Dave whenever and for not killing me when Blake got into my gum and I let him try it! Stacey and Juan, always keeping up to date on available jobs and for bowling! Cam and Shayna for letting me barrow the car and for helping me convert all of those Cd's into a digital copy so I don't have to try to remember which of my Cd's are missing! Courtney, I'll always be your Dave and Derek for being my Lego buddy! My mother, for always lending and ear when I needed to complain or needed to talk to someone. For all your years of letting me know that I'm worth it and that I have great talents waiting to be discovered.

Growing up, I couldn't wait to go on trips to St. George to see my aunt and uncle and cousins, Lynn and Edna, Warren, Angie, Brett, Ryan and Kimi. Cameron and I had the greatest adventures there. Hiking the Red Mountain, biking around town, the Res and Gunlock Lake, Camping in Snow's Canyon and almost dying hiking home in 100+ degrees and running out of water in the middle of the lava fields! Watching my uncle Lynn and how he treated his wife serving her tirelessly and taking that into my own life to treat Amy with the same amount of love and respect. Aunt Edna for your words of comfort and always having a smile and laughter and full of life. Owen and Jennifer, rocks and mafia wars and uncle Kevin for all the fond memories growing up and going on a road trip to deliver eggs and sorry that I lost your fishing pole, but you kept it up all day and caught the fish who had your pole still attached! I have way too many cousins and aunts and uncles to mention, but I have a great deal of gratitude and fond memories for all!

Amy's family is 1 in a billion and I am so grateful for each and every one of them for coming into my life. I love you all, for your advice, friendship, support and the fun that they share with us. Learning that I have cousins from 2 different families that are best friends with Amy's brother Jethro's wife Stacy, (confusing huh?). She lived in New Mexico and knew Uncle Doug's family. And Amy's sister Bekah who is friends with another cousin. Small world! Matt and Bekah for your hospitality and Nya, well she is just so darn cute!! Jethro and Stacy for the laughs and help and Katya and Cali and their smiles. George and Amy and family. What a fun week and the girls are so cute! The games and I miss the smack talk by the way! Andrea and Jason, thank you so much! Words can not express and your kids who are so fun to be around! Joanne, your the best mother in law anyone could ask for. I love you and thank you! Reuel and Ana, I thoroughly enjoyed your visit and we can't wait for the chance to visit you!

Most of all I have so much gratitude for my wife Amy and for the chance opportunity that we met at just the right time. I love her so much and thank our Heavenly Father each day for her! I love you Amy!

I have a few friends that I have made in past years and I am very grateful for them and their kindness that they've shown me as well as for Amy. Dave and Roxanne for your friendship, letting me use your computers and giving me the chance to show my talents with the stone work I've done for you! Dave's crew, Ky and Nate and the rest, some of the best friends you could ask for! Thanks James, for the same things.

I have a great deal of gratitude for 4 years of my life in the granite industry and the talents that came about while working with stone. The things that I could see in my mind and the ability I had to make what I saw! The ideas that are still yet to come to life and for dreams still buried deep in my head. I have gratitude for each and everyday of my life so far and thank my Heavenly Father for my many talents and gifts that make me happy and those around me.