When it comes to gratitude, an odd thing happened after Hurricane Ian took away my home and almost everything in it.

Furniture, books, family photos, my two closets filled with clothes - it’s all gone. Yet, in its place is an even deeper sense of gratitude than I’ve had before.

I admit it didn’t come right after the hurricane. But it wasn’t long after the shock wore off that I was surprised to realize my zest for life and thankfulness for that life had filled me.

I’m surprised to realize my gratitude is now more humble in scope. Small things that might have gone unnoticed or unappreciated before now loom large in my everyday life.

I realized that when I found myself relishing the blessing of a tall glass of ice water as if it were something precious. Without refrigeration lukewarm water loses its appeal for me.

When our electricity came back on and we were finally told it was safe to drink the water without boiling it, I kept going to the refrigerator for another glass of ice water.

I now hail a glass of ice water as one of those everyday gifts for which I am thankful.

I keep unearthing small pleasures that make me smile. Finding my old rain jacket and a favorite sweater brought more smiles.

I’ve eaten thousands of meals with my husband, and probably took most of those meals for granted.

After the hurricane when I finally found the energy to cook a good, old-fashioned meal for my “meat and potatoes guy,” I found myself truly rejoicing at the opportunity to share a meal with him.

Little things now mean so much more.

Not all of my new feelings are good ones. I was surprised to discover there’s a bit of post traumatic stress that keeps sneaking into my life. Never thought that would happen to me.

I used to think it was possible to control our mind but the hurricane made me more humble in knowing how vulnerable we are.

The stiff breeze I used to love now brings a bit of panic when it calls to mind the fierce wind that did us in during the hurricane.

One big problem is that I’m having trouble sleeping through the night. While I fall asleep fairly easily, I wake in the middle of the night with worry and anxiety. Others tell me they share that problem.

I’ve learned to lessen that negative effect by turning my thoughts to all the times during each day that I am thankful for a small delight.

David lost his appetite, probably due to the same post hurricane stress. To tempt his taste buds, I searched through the supermarket ice cream section to find his favorite cherry chocolate passion ice cream.

It was nowhere to be found until finally there was one container of it in the back. It was another small blessing that reminded me to be thankful for our bounty.

Just in time for Thanksgiving I found a newspaper article called “Mining Gratitude.”

After author Ken Brennen noted the personal and health benefits we derive from a keen sense of gratitude, he suggested an easy way we can all better appreciate our blessings.

He said there is “a scattering of gems of gratitude buried in the busyness of our everyday life.”

Many people miss it, he said, because they don’t look for it.

One easy way he suggested is to keep a blank notebook and pen by your bedside. When you go to bed at night, think back through the day at the good moments you hurried by without pausing to appreciate them.

Each night try to write at least a few of those moments in your gratitude notebook.

He suggests thinking of three categories of events.

First, those moments that dropped on you out of nowhere.

Second, think through all the things others did for you. For instance, a phone call from a friend might fall under that category.

The third category is what you did for others - consoling a friend that lost a pet or giving a meal to someone in need would be examples.

Taking time to visit a lonely elderly neighbor is one way I try to do for others. While I say I’m doing it for a lonely neighbor, it also picks up my own spirits.

I found no matter how hard my day might seem if I do someone to help someone else my spirits are lifted.

The author suggests we review our day by thinking about anything we did for ourselves.

It’s when I am personally struggling that I make a special effort to pick up my own mood.

Something that always works is visiting those neighbors who also were heavily impacted by the hurricane.

Up and down my block my neighbors are working to recover from great losses.

I am inspired and fortified by their determined spirit and by the way they won’t give up.

Despite all their own troubles, some approach me to ask, “What can I do to help you?”

It’s impossible not to be uplifted when you’re surrounded by caring people.

During the hurricane, water was seeping from beneath the floorboard into my house.

Now, it’s a joy that is seeping into my life.

It’s another reason why I am brimming with gratitude for life’s many blessings.

Contact Pattie Mihalik at newsgirl@comcast.net.