When a widow is in high alert mode, observation mode, eyes-wide-open mode, she has reasons to be thankful.  Small things become small thanks.  If she will allow them, thanks will work wonders in the sad, the dark, the fearful.

Here are small widow thanks:

– do once-a-week (or once-a-month) laundry

– say yes to this, no to that

– spend less on fewer groceries

– argue with… no one

– eat anytime, go anywhere, do anything

– pursue new interests

– get up or sleep in

– try a different approach

– clean out or pack in

– drink from the jug, eat from the jar

Surely the risk of selfish, self-centered, self-absorbed nesses could gobble up widow-self.  And surely surely, a widow would prefer the bigger share-the food, share-the-day, share-the-experience thanks over the small widow thanks.  Nevertheless, thanks are thanks, and they work happy, light, assured in a widow’s heart if she will allow them.