Last week I did something I hope I will never have to do again. I went to the funeral of a young boy who was killed suddenly in an accident.

I saw the grief and despair of his family and friends as they tried to comprehend this unimaginable tragedy.  I couldn’t help but come home with a heavy heart and the timeless message that life is too short.

In my effort to honor the memory of this precious child, I wrote a list of the ten things in my life I am most thankful for. This being the week of Thanksgiving, it seemed only fitting.  Here goes:

1. My Husband
2. My Children
3. My Family
4. My Friends
5. My Health
6. My Home
7. My Education
8. My Job
9. My Country
10. My Faith, last but not least as it is intertwined with everything.

Oddly, there are a lot of things that take up plenty of my time that didn’t make my list. I certainly didn’t pick my smart phone or my DVR as what I’m most thankful for. Facebook and Twitter didn’t make the list either. Instead it seems like my list is filled with the classics, probably the same sorts of things my grandmothers or great-grandmothers would have picked during their lifetimes.

What can I learn from the loss of this child? That I need to cherish each and every day with my loved ones. That I should hug my children even more and tell them I love them as often as I can. This Thanksgiving, I challenge you to do the same. Identify who you are most thankful for and then share your gratitude with those you love. You’ll be glad you did.