Write a creative nonfiction piece about something you're grateful for.

Posted in Nonfiction on Jul 26, 2024

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✍️ 68 stories

“The Fighter” by Alexis Araneta

Submitted to Contest #261

CW: Mentions of suicidal ideation, mental health struggles, anorexia nervosa**First of all, I very much know how much it hurts. Quite literally, it does.You sit in your wheelchair as they push you bumpily and help you up the maroon leather-backed banquette at the very front of a coffee chain’s branch in the hospital’s lobby. You’re fully aware that the mobile chair is but standard operating procedure for leaving the medical centre, yet the mere idea of your willpower being excised along with that gangrene bit of your small intestine the surg...

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“Thank You, Reedsy” by Mary Bendickson

Submitted to Contest #261

Thank You, Reedsy Dear Reedsy,I wish to express my gratitude to all the creators, staff, professional support members and, of course, the talented contributing authors that make up the Reedsy community. As an aspiring author entering the weekly short story contests my linguistic pursuits have been enhanced and inspired by this online family.Before I relate my journey let me thank and congratulate Laura for her tenure as prompt coordinator in Reedsy Prompts for the pass five years, if I understand correctly, and welcome Isabelle to the positi...

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“Keep Walking” by Trudy Jas

Submitted to Contest #261

If I have a neat little heart attack, right here at the bottom of the attic steps, then the kids can throw away all that junk up there. But no, I had to tell them I’d do this myself. Why? I can’t imagine that there is anything up there that they shouldn’t see.Sam and I bought this house when the boys were still little. Around forty-five years ago. It’s going to be an ordeal emptying this memorial to my marriage, our younger selves, before I bury myself among the old and discarded. I’m sure it won’t be just the mountain of dust bunnies I’ll s...

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“Thanks?” by Kendall Defoe

Submitted to Contest #261

Dear Dad,It has been almost forty years since you stepped out of my life in the most cliché-ridden manner possible. Not just a bad heart that attacked you; not just on the day that you were to be released from hospital; not just when all the signs were good for you and your health. It was the day itself that stays with me.Seriously? December 23rd? I guess that you really wanted to avoid the holidays that year, right?Sorry, bad joke. They seem to be the only kinds I have when I think about you. We had even purchased a gift for you (Christmas ...

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“ELIM CIVOLUDARS MEMOIRS – CHRISTMAS TIME” by Darvico Ulmeli

Submitted to Contest #261

The holiday season is approaching swiftly; this year, there's a good chance of a "white" one. It's been years since I've enjoyed snow on December 25th. I anticipate it eagerly, much like a child awaiting Santa Claus, even though I'll likely spend the day alone or at work. The twinkling lights will only indicate that it's a special day, a subtle reminder of the festive season. This has become a tradition for me, one that I cherish.Despite this time of year being a familiar affair, I look forward to it each year. It's not because of religious ...

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“The Loneliness Of The Long Distance Writer” by Raven West

Submitted to Contest #261

Watching the 2024 Olympics in Paris and hearing the profiles of all the athletes who are competing, made me realize how very much alone we, as writers are in own field of dreams. Each athlete interviewed had personal stories to tell about coaches, teammates, family, friends and sometimes entire towns cheering them on. When they had doubts, when they fell, numerous supporters were ready at a moment’s notice to help them back on their feet. And when they were finally in the arena, thousands of spectators watched, cheered and applauded th...

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“A twisted backpacking journey” by Miss Maggie Maria

Submitted to Contest #261

I weighed my pack before going and it was 45lbs and my dog's pack was 10lbs. I left the motel after an egg and bacon breakfast sandwich. The drive to the trailhead went through Kootenay National Park and then connected with Banff National Park. It was a gorgeous hike through the woods with several viewpoints along the way to the Ink Pots. Such a beautiful scenic walk through some meadows overlooking the Banff Sawback Mountain Range. There were a few steep portions, but since it was my first day, I had the energy!I arrived at the campsite and...

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“Colouring Outside of the Lines” by Carol Stewart

Submitted to Contest #261

School brought the smell of the herd; brown leather straps, regulation pens, black and blue pulled out of a multi-pack, ‘rather see than be ya’, Purple Cow… And Mrs Arnot…Mary Ann Bretton! What on earth do you call this? I don’t know what colour the cattle are where you come from, but I’m fairly certain they’re not purple. Are you really so stupid that you can’t even complete a simple colouring task? Cows are brown, Mary Ann… Brown!Shockwaves of icy blue, stun gun electrocution sparks. The split-second eyes-wide-open upward chin-jolt, and do...

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“The Black Dog hates mountains” by M.D. Adler

Submitted to Contest #261

“I never told you this, but I visited a priest three years ago.” Mama admitted, sipping on her Campari Orange. “I brought him a picture of you, told him what you’ve been through all these years and asked if you were cursed.” She then gazed adoringly at the Christmas gift I had just given her - a positive pregnancy test - and her look turned warmer with appreciation. “Multumesc lui Dumnezeu!” Mama had developed a habit out of thanking God for my health, accomplishments and happiness. When I would earn a well-deserved promotion after years of ...

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“Gratitude Can be Hard” by Rozmarin Ideas

Submitted to Contest #261

I find it hard to be grateful. The feeling is somewhat foreign to me, as I am oft mired in self-loathing and sadness. Thus, finding things to be grateful for is difficult.That’s not to say that I am lacking such things, only that I am very bad at seeing them. Thus, in the spirit of this week’s prompt, I have decided to enumerate the many good things in my life, in the form of a handy- and easily digestible -numbered list. 1. My Good Looks.To start off, we have perhaps the least valuable item. I am, by most accounts, at the very least d...

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“Bound By Gratitude ” by Rosie Main

Submitted to Contest #261

What is gratitude? According to the dictionary, it is the feeling of being grateful. But what does that truly mean? Gratitude in practice is the mental state and emotional response characterized by feelings of thankfulness and appreciation. What does that feel like as a human? Having gratitude feels warm like a nice spring day right on the cusp of summer. It brings us joy and happiness, the type that makes us grin and our cheeks pink. It also builds relationships when we express gratitude for one another. It fosters a closenes...

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“The Gift of a Quiet Morning” by Samantha Red

Submitted to Contest #261

In the frenetic pace of daily life, it's easy to overlook the moments of tranquility that offer respite from the chaos. One such moment I have grown to cherish deeply is the quiet morning. I'm grateful for the stillness of early hours, the peaceful interlude between the chaos of yesterday and the demands of today.My appreciation for quiet mornings began during a particularly stressful period of my life. I was juggling a demanding job, personal obligations, and a relentless stream of physical issues that were on the rise. It seemed like there...

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“Let It All Out, brutha” by Tommy Goround

Submitted to Contest #261

There’s a sign near my door which reads:60 years maximum parking.It might seem arbitrary but it is given in time units because the bureau sweeper knows my biology. The blood smears have a purpose and we have to make room for the young.The Activity Counselor/Wills & Trust Lawyer comes into my room with a tray of eggs and one flower in a vase. The flower is a dandelion. Judy Bench says I should blow on the dandelion after making a wish and proceed with the eggs (wich are always poached in boiled water).The eggs resemble brain matter unleas...

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“I AM” by Sandy Paluzzi

Submitted to Contest #261

When I was in my late forties, the men I’d known since childhood began dying – one by one I lost all three of my uncles in a year and a half. Then, in one terrible week, a close childhood friend and my dad (my anchor) both succumbed to cancer. Unable to cope with the enormity of these losses, my mind went spiraling out of control. Like Dorothy in The Wizard of Oz, I felt caught up in the eye of a tornado. Everything and everyone seemed to be flying away from me, buffeted by the wind until I was left with only my paranoid psychotic delus...

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“Dad’s Fine With Me” by Lily Finch

Submitted to Contest #261

What the hell is he doing? Gassing a frog? That's not right. My brain calculated as terrifying and sick things clashed, messing up my stomach and mind. Goosebumps sprouted like braille on paper.Jimmy, my cousin, caused us more trouble every time he visited. I was horrified as I saw Jimmy's eyes dance with excitement at the flaming frog leaping around.What a hack! I turned away, helpless—the young girl in me couldn't save it. Even though I was woozy-legged and my stomach was turning at the horrible sight, it gave me strength.#Jimmy's actions ...

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Write a creative nonfiction piece about something you're grateful for.

Submissions are closed

✍️ 68 stories

“The Fighter” by Alexis Araneta

“Thank You, Reedsy” by Mary Bendickson

“Keep Walking” by Trudy Jas

“Thanks?” by Kendall Defoe

“ELIM CIVOLUDARS MEMOIRS – CHRISTMAS TIME” by Darvico Ulmeli

“The Loneliness Of The Long Distance Writer” by Raven West

“A twisted backpacking journey” by Miss Maggie Maria

“Colouring Outside of the Lines” by Carol Stewart

“The Black Dog hates mountains” by M.D. Adler

“Gratitude Can be Hard” by Rozmarin Ideas

“Bound By Gratitude ” by Rosie Main

“The Gift of a Quiet Morning” by Samantha Red

“Let It All Out, brutha” by Tommy Goround

“I AM” by Sandy Paluzzi

“Dad’s Fine With Me” by Lily Finch

🌟 Similar prompts

Write a story about a character trying to find a way to express their gratitude to someone.

Write a story about a cynic who has been told to start a "gratitude journal," and does so — begrudgingly.

Write a story about an unsung hero.

Write a story in the form of a series of thank you cards.

Contest #261

Enter our weekly contest!

$250

Prize money

300

Contest entries

97

Stories

Win $250 in our short story competition 🏆

Explore more writing prompt ideas: