Mom and Sam set the table for Thanksgiving. Sam folded the napkins. Mom put down the plates and utensils.

Sam made place cards to tell the guests where to sit. He drew pictures on the cards that matched the people coming to dinner. Grandma got knitting needles. Uncle Joe got a football.

“At dinner let’s play a game,” Mom said.

“What kind of game?” Sam asked.

“We’ll each say something we’re grateful for,” Mom said.

Sam wasn’t sure what that meant. Mom explained that grateful meant thankful.

“Oh,” Sam said. “I have lots of things I’m thankful for.”

“Like what?” Mom asked.

“Like my friends. And this house. And my school. And chocolate chip cookies. And our dog Olive. And you,” Sam said.

“That’s a good list, Sam,” Mom said. She gave him a squeeze. “I am very thankful for you.”

Sam spent the rest of the day thinking of other things he was thankful for. He thought about red crayons. He thought about his favorite fuzzy slippers. He thought about Grandma and Uncle Joe.

It felt nice to think about things he was grateful for. He would have a lot to share at dinner. Hopefully the turkey wouldn’t get cold!