Appreciation: Gratitude with its Work Boots On

On January 26 this year, I sat down to my morning gratitude journal and did something different.

It was my Mom’s birthday, so instead of my usual list of things I’m grateful for, I wrote a short note about my gratitude for her. Then I snapped a picture and texted it to share how much I appreciate her.

Eight days later, she unexpectedly passed away.

To say it was a heartbreaking loss doesn’t begin to do my feelings any justice. At the same time, the joy of knowing that I’d left nothing unsaid is indescribably sweet.

Why do I share this story?

To encourage you to take gratitude one step further into appreciation.

I think of appreciation as gratitude with its work boots on. It’s moving gratitude from something you feel to something you move into the world.

Move from feeling gratitude for your health to going to the gym in appreciation of it.

Move from feeling gratitude for your friends to scheduling time with them in appreciation of them.

Move from feeling gratitude for your family to expressing it in appreciation of them.

I have tremendous gratitude for the Texas Coaches Coalition Conference, because I attended it less than two months after I lost my Mom. I was a wreck, but was treated with such love and acceptance and gentleness. Again, indescribably sweet.

TCC will always have my gratitude, so I sponsored the 2025 conference to show my appreciation.

I’d love to hear about your own sweet experiences with gratitude and appreciation below.