Recently, I had a thought-provoking conversation with one of my mentees from Uganda that left me both shocked and deeply reflective. She shared a cultural practice from her community where girls and women are excluded from eating certain nutritious foods, including eggs. Initially, I was stunned. Eggs, a main food many of us take for granted, are a rich source of nutrients essential for growth and overall health.

As she spoke, my mind drifted to my own experiences during pregnancy. I vividly remembered how crucial it was for me to eat at least one egg every day during the first trimester to support my health and that of my baby. I thought about the number of children I have and the cumulative duration of all my first trimesters. That’s a lot of eggs! I was privileged to have access to them without restrictions or prohibitions. This realization was sobering. While I had the freedom and resources to consume something as simple as an egg for my well-being, there are women and girls whose health and growth are compromised due to cultural norms or economic limitations. This stark contrast brought me to a point of deep gratitude for the seemingly simple things I often overlook in my life.

In many ways, the ability to access basic needs like nutritious food, education, or healthcare is a privilege. Yet, because these things are routine in our daily lives, we rarely pause to acknowledge their significance. For some, eating an egg is not a matter of choice but one of tradition, economics, or availability. This Christmas season, as we gather with our loved ones to celebrate, it’s worth taking a step back to reflect on the many blessings we enjoy. Gratitude is not just about appreciating the grand gestures or achievements; it’s about recognizing the small, everyday privileges that quietly shape our lives.