Nehemiah gathered with Ezra and the Priests for the first time they got to observe the Feast of Tabernacles since their return from exile. What made the difference between the times before and this moment in history was that they saw it as a joy and enjoyed remembering their history and future.
Thankfulness is the willingness to recognize something as good.
We do ourselves and our relationships more favors by reminding ourselves of what we have to be thankful for.
Our past, present, and future are all centered around our relationship with Jesus.