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When Mother sits in her favorite comfy chair, Boy jumps in her lap. He either sits and stares into her eyes, gently touching his paw to her cheek, or he turns in circles to find just the right place to curl and fall asleep. Their love for each other is deep. I titled this painting Gratitude, for it reflects their feelings for each other. 

Yes, I know--I don't REALLY know what he's feeling for her, but I do know what she feels for him. And that feeling, as well as my feelings for her, have caused me to think much about gratitude. I've thought much about how we show gratitude--or not--to our friends, our colleagues, our families--or perfect strangers.

Here's my simple list of ways to show gratitude--whether it's to your 92-year-old relative, your teenage neighbor, your employee, your spouse, or the person who cleans your toilet.

Give the gift of time.

Go for a drive together.

Have lunch together.

Introduce her to your friends.

Write a letter in which you talk about a favorite memory you shared together.

Bake a cake for him--or better yet, bake a cake with him.

Send a thinking-of-you note. Yes, with an envelope, snail mail address, and stamp.

Call her.

Write a poem; a personalized acrostic is a simple way to start.

Make a sketch of a shared moment. Draw it on a note card with pen or pencil or a coffee mug with a permanent marker.

Did she teach you to make something? Make something for her. Return the favor.

Tell him how glad you are to see him--not how sad you are that you don't see him every day.

Bring a cup of coffee to her favorite chair.

Send a bouquet of flowers.

Send a gift card to his favorite restaurant.

Listen.

Ask her about her best friend from childhood.

Give the gift of time.

Gratitude--Show it.