Gratitude Contextualized

Yesterday after our Thanksgiving feast, I went with Ethan and Joshua as they rode their tricycles to the nearby school playground. Ethan usually likes to be the leader when riding his tricycle, so I was surprised that he paused to the edge of the sidewalk and let Joshua and I go ahead of him. Ethan asked, “Are you thankful that I let you go first?”

“Sure,” I said.

“Good, because on Thanksgiving, you’re supposed to be thankful when someone does something nice to you.”

Soon afterward, Ethan was riding up front again. I decided to overtake him, so I pushed Joshua on his tricycle with a little more vigor and we soon usurped Ethan's leader status. “Dad!” Ethan protested, predictably.

I turned my neck around to look at him and said, “Thanks!” We both laughed