学会感恩也就学会了快乐

It was 28 years ago. I was a young dad with two babies under three.

那是28年前，我是一个年轻的奶爸，带着两个不到三岁的孩子。

My Mom and Dad had invited us to their home for Thanksgiving dinner.

我的父母邀请我和孩子们去他们家吃感恩节大餐。

Their tiny house was packed. There was my wife, myself, and our babies.

他们的房子很小，有些拥挤。我和我的妻子，还有我的孩子们都在那里。

My two brothers were also there with their families as well.

我的两个兄弟，还有他们的家人也都在那里。

The kitchen table was full and people were eating on TV trays and with plates in their laps.

餐桌边围满了人，每个人都吃着电视托盘上的食物，餐碟在他们的大腿上。

We eased around each other so as not to spill our overflowing plates and full glasses.

我们的盘子里堆满了食物，杯子里装满了饮料，每个人都在调整姿势，以免漏撒到别人身上。

Tummies were being filled with turkey, gravy, potatoes, stuffing, buttered rolls, and pumpkin pie.

我们的肚子里塞满了火鸡肉，肉汁，烤土豆，火鸡填馅，黄油面包卷，还有南瓜派。

Old memories were being shared with laughter and love. A dozen different conversations were going on at once.

我们分享着共同的回忆，我们同时聊着十几种不同的话题，言笑晏晏，爱意浓浓。

I sat off to the side, silently sipping my sweet tea and taking it all in.

最后，我坐到一旁，安静的一边呷着茶，一边把这些都深深的印入脑海。

I saw my baby girl in her high chair with her face covered in mashed potatoes.

我看到我的小女儿，她坐在婴儿餐椅里，脸上糊满了土豆泥。

My little boy was still eating while gravy dripped down his shirt.

我的小儿子还在吃,肉汁从他的衬衣上滴下来。

My Mom was cutting up the pumpkin pie for dessert with a smile on her face.

我妈妈正把作为甜点的南瓜派切成一块一块的，脸上洋溢着微笑。

My wife and sisters-in-law were talking in one corner while my Dad and two brothers were laughing and teasing each other in the living room.

我的妻子和弟妹在餐厅角落里聊天，我的爸爸和两个兄弟在客厅里相互调侃，大声欢笑。

As I watched it all, suddenly I had a feeling in the center of my chest.

我看着这一切，内心油然升起一种特殊的感受。

It was a curious mixture of peace, contentment, love, and joy.

我感到安宁，满足，爱和喜悦以奇妙的方式在我的心中调和着。

It made me feel full to overflowing in my heart as well as my stomach.

我的心和胃一样满满的，简直爆棚。

I realized then what I was feeling: a moment of pure thankfulness on Thanksgiving Day.

这时我明白了这种奇异的感受，这就是感恩节上最虔诚的感恩。

So many years have gone by since then. Still, that moment lives on in my heart like it was yesterday.

从那时起过了许多年。但是，那段时光还活在我心里，宛如昨日。

It wasn't the food that made it so special. It was the coming together as a family in love.

让这个日子如此特殊的并不是那些美食，而是彼此相爱的家人欢聚一堂。

My Mom and Dad have passed on to Heaven now and my brothers and I don't see each other as much as I would like.

我的父母都已仙逝，我的兄弟和我也不常见面，虽然我很希望多见见他们。

Yet, I can still feel their love for me. I carry it always in my heart and soul.

不过，我仍能感受到他们对我的爱。我总把他们的爱放在心尖，刻入我的灵魂。

Thanksgiving isn't just a holiday that we celebrate once a year.

感恩节并不单单只是一个一年一度的节日。

It is a way of life. When we fill our hearts with thankfulness we open them to even more blessings.

它是一种生活方式。当我们心中装满感恩的心情，我们就能敞开心扉，迎接更多的幸福。

When we fill our hearts with love we become the people we were always meant to be.

当我们的心中充满爱，我们就能成为自己一直希望成为的人。

And when we share that love with others we make this world what it was meant to be as well.

当我们把爱分享给别人，我们也能让世界成为更好的世界。

May all of your days be full of Thanksgiving then. May all of your moments be full of Love!

让你的每一天都充满感恩吧！愿你生命中每一刻都充满爱！