Tis the season to feel grateful. It’s Thanksgiving week and boy do I have a lot to be thankful for. Although my thankful list is pretty deep, towards the top of the list is something that you probably won’t find surprising. 

Community. 

To me, community is everything. 

I’ve written before about how one of the things that I continue to love most about bowling is that it brings so many people together. The bowling community is AMAZING.

Community and connection are also why the Elite Youth Tour has grown into something beyond what I dreamed it would become. EYT provides people a place to gather and connect as much as it is an event for them to bowl. So much more than just bowling happens these weekends. For these kids and their families, the friendships and relationships formed there will truly last a lifetime. It takes my breath away sometimes. Last weekend was no different. I always leave an EYT weekend feeling like my heart is just so full. I see it month after month. Bowling friends leaning on each other. Cheering each other on, believing in each other. Celebrating each other. The EYT community is SO strong.

Community is really what I’ve been thinking a lot about the last couple of weeks. Community lifts us up.

In Chicago, John and I live on a really tight-knit block. Maybe it’s because we all moved in around the same time because it’s a new street. But I think it’s very rare what we have here. All of our families are so different but we all have such great respect for each other. And every one of them has such diverse strengths that if anybody ever needs anything, one of them is there. It is easy to find somebody that can help you with almost anything.

The weekend before last, we hosted a Friendsgiving for our neighborhood. And I hosted it outside, as we figured we’re still in a time where we should probably gather outside. Unfortunately, it got cold and it was snowing a bit. But that’s when our community spirit really shone. My neighbor two doors down pitched in by bringing a big cover tent so at least we had some coverage. And then a neighbor in the other direction helped me set up and take down the tent. I also borrowed a bunch of chairs and tables from other neighbors. And we pulled it all off somehow.

We had this great gathering of people to just celebrate togetherness. We all came together and enjoyed the evening even though it was cold. And I loved that. Of course, John made some really good food. But everyone also pitched in with bringing sides, appetizers, and dessert. The experience really filled me up and made me even more grateful for the community that we found here. It was just a really nice night to come together as a community. As a neighborhood, I think we’ve formed these friendships and relationships that will last our entire lives even if we move on and don’t always live on the same block.

Experiences of togetherness in so many forms are what I really cherish. This week we are heading to New Jersey to spend time with John’s family. We all get a chance to catch up and connect, be together and create memories — and eat really good food. Thanksgiving is also a great time for my kids to have quality time with John, helping him cook. He usually does a couple of sides for Thanksgiving. The day provides a really great feeling of togetherness and comfort. I’m always just really appreciative and thankful for those memories.

From EYT to neighborhoods to family, community, and togetherness in all of these forms are so special to me. I think it is a great time of year to reflect on the community and people around us and how they lift us up. If we look around, there is often so much to be appreciative of, even if we don’t at first see it. Sometimes even the simplest things like a friend lending a chair can mean so much.

When you slow down and look around, what do you see? It can be really powerful, just taking that moment to reflect on, and have gratitude for, the people and communities you have in your life.

Happy Thanksgiving. I am grateful for you.