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Gratitude and Keeping Connections

 by Jeanette R. Harrison, MPH

When I get home from work, I usually have the energy for one activity before I’m completely zapped. Last night, I had to walk downtown to get a money order. On the way there, I was doing mental math—figuring out how to stretch what I had left in my budget and make it through the week. I need at least $50 a day to get to and from work, and that can be challenging at times. I work all day, then come home exhausted. When I walk through the door, that’s it—no one’s cooking dinner, folding laundry, or asking, “How was your day?” The last person who asked me that regularly was my bus driver, and even that felt more like a polite formality than genuine care.

Sometimes, when I think about that, I can almost hear the unkind voices from my past—people who’ve said things like, “That’s because no one cares about you.” Recently, when I watched my promo video for Bragging About You, the next video that popped up was Brené Brown’s “How to Tell When People Don’t Care About You.” I only made it halfway through before thinking, “Not today, Brené.” That message—that no one cares—is already too deeply woven into my story.

Who is there for me every day?
My dog. She is always happy to see me. 

Growing up in foster homes doesn’t create a sense of belonging. It often creates the opposite—a deep belief that you don’t belong anywhere. Foster families are sometimes seen as selfless or saintly, but the child’s perspective can get lost. As a kid, you’re sent to live with strangers who have rules and expectations you barely understand, and the consequence of not meeting them can mean being sent away—again. That cycle of rejection leaves a mark that’s hard to heal.

I’ve lived in seven states and seventeen cities. I’m tired of starting over. The repeated messages of “we’re done with you,” “go away,” or the quiet implication that my presence doesn’t matter have been painful to endure. People often make excuses for not making space for me, and rarely ask simple questions like, “How are you?” Instead, I spend my days listening to others while wondering if anyone truly listens to me. And yet, I still believe connection matters—because it does. Intentionally excluding or ignoring someone doesn’t motivate change; it wounds. We’re social creatures, and belonging isn’t a luxury. It’s a basic human need.

Even with all of that, I still believe people care about me. Maybe that belief seems naïve to some, but I hold onto it because it’s what keeps me human. Wanting connection is not weakness—it’s courage. And that brings me to today’s gratitude practice: identifying the best part of my day, the people I’m grateful for, and the reasons why.

Best Part of the Day

The best part of the day was coming home to my dog. I love seeing her tail wag as I walk in the door, like seeing me is the best moment of her life.

Relationships (People) I’m Grateful For

X

  1. Thank you for being a good friend to me for 30 years.

  2. Thank you for texting me every day.

  3. Thank you for sharing pictures of your grandkids and family with me.

  4. Thank you for being your true self with me.

  5. Thank you for supporting me in whatever I do.

Y

  1. Thank you for your kindness and caring.

  2. Thank you for sharing your beliefs with me—both political and religious.

  3. Thank you for talking about your family with me.

  4. Thank you for listening without judgment.

  5. Thank you for inviting me to join the chorus when I lived near you.

Z

  1. Thank you for being there when I needed it most.

  2. Thank you for keeping in touch after you moved away.

  3. Thank you for the conversations we shared.

  4. Thank you for spending time with me when you could have chosen to be with hundreds of others.

  5. Thank you for showing genuine kindness, caring, and compassion.

10 Things I Am Grateful For

  1. I am grateful for my coworker who brought the whole office donuts and me a 7Up.

  2. I am grateful for the patients who thank me for making a hard moment easier for them.

  3. I am grateful that I can work every day to help other people have a better quality of life and possibly live longer lives.

  4. I am grateful for all the food I have, even if I’ve been partaking a little too much.

  5. I am grateful for the cocoa I received from a brand today.

  6. I am grateful for the Uber drivers who got me to and from work safely.

  7. I am grateful for the walkability of my community.

  8. I am grateful to the cashier who was kind to me when I forgot to turn off the light on my hat.

  9. I am grateful that two of my books are in the top 100 in different categories on Amazon.

  10. I am grateful that my blog continues to do well.

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