When my young grandchildren were asked to say grace while I was visiting, their idea of giving thanks consisted of seven hurried words: Thank you God for our food, amen.

I think each child had a contest to see who could say it the fastest.I really hoped for more, at least at Thanksgiving, but I understood.I understood that gratitude is something that grows with age. I also understood that most youngsters fail to appreciate the basic good things in their life because it’s not something they think about.When kids are young, they may like when their family circle increases with visiting relatives. But they are too young to truly appreciate the blessing of three or four generations around the table. When we are young, we think “what is” will always be there.Youngsters also don’t recognize the blessing of the unconditional love that surrounds them. Show me a kid who says, “My parents give me the gift of unconditional love” and I’ll show you an unusually perceptive youngster.While my grandkids always said “Thank you for their food,” I doubt that they felt the blessing of having a nice house and a refrigerator stacked with food.They thought everyone had that — at least everyone around them.My grandkids had their eyes opened when their parents took them to a remote village in Africa. Instead of sticking to the typical tourist paths, they journeyed into the real African tribal world where they saw firsthand how others have to struggle for the basics they take for granted.They saw that even for the kids who were lucky enough to go to a village school there were no books, no beds in the dormitory.They learned firsthand that many kids can’t dream of what they want to be when they grow up because their options were almost non-existent.When they came home, all three grandkids said their vision was enlarged and their sense of appreciation for what they had increased.One grandson said the trip to Africa changed him in significant ways. I think that’s true because four years later he is still going on mission trips to help build homes for the poor.During his last trip he was so proud of his work — digging long ditches that would carry water to villages.But the caring kids on that mission trip go home to comfortable homes and nice lives limited only by their imagination.I have no idea how appreciative my grandkids are. I have no idea how much they take for granted. But I do know one thing with absolute certainty: As they grow older they will gain a deeper appreciation for every little thing in life.The new Peanuts movie has a line in it about being grateful for a warm blanket.How many kids who see the movie will be grateful for a warm blanket?Although I was a typical self-absorbed teen, when I had children of my own I became much more aware of every blessing, both big and small.Family was never a blessing I took for granted. From the time I held my two daughters in my arms, I knew I could never say thank you enough for the blessings they bought our way. And I always knew my extended Italian family was a true blessing.In our younger years we are wrapped up in the busy life of working and raising a family. But no matter how hectic life was, I insisted on having Thanksgiving at my house.Thanksgiving has always been my favorite holiday. It asks nothing of us except a grateful heart.Readers of past columns will know I believe thankfulness is something we should have more than once a year. To me, thanksgiving should be a part of every day.Each Thanksgiving holiday I was acutely aware of how lucky I was to have family travel for hours to be with me. When my parents and extended family came to my house for the holiday. I always knew my immediate and extended family was one of my most treasured blessings.What I didn’t know was how fast they would be gone. Every year took its toll until none were left and I was the matriarch of the family.While the loss of those I love is a great sorrow, one good thing that comes from advancing years is a deeper sense of gratitude for every little thing.I thought I was always a thankful person. But the gratitude I felt during my younger years pales when compared to today.When I survived neurosurgery decades ago, I promised God I would never, ever take a day of life for granted. It’s a promise I’ve kept.Yet, for the past few years I find myself giving heartfelt thanks for some things I once took for granted.If I can walk when I try an early morning walk, I say thank you with each step I take.If I have a day without pain, I say thank you.I say thank you for every sunrise, for every sunset and for the beauty in every single day.I say thank you repeatedly all day long because my heart truly runneth over with gratitude for everyday gifts — and they are too numerous to count.Thanksgiving is more than a one-day holiday. It’s a year-round state of mind.