Reasons for Gratitude
Thanksgiving is my favorite holiday, mainly because it reminds us to take some time to reflect on all that we have to be thankful for. I keep a gratitude journal, which helps me stay focused on counting my blessings every day, but it’s good to have a day to share that simple activity with everyone else.
As I spend this afternoon and evening baking and doing the prep work for tomorrow, I’m grateful that I have a flexible work schedule that allows me to spend two days in the kitchen. I’m grateful for the abundance that we enjoy in our house and in this country that allows me to cook a huge meal for close family and friends. And I’m grateful for all of them too — they make my life richer in so many ways. As I make my grandmother’s pumpkin pie and my other grandmother’s stuffing, I’m grateful for the foundation of a strong family that helped me become the person I am today.
I laughingly tease that my family swims in a dirty gene pool. Cancer is a fact of life for us. Colon, stomach, breast, bladder, skin, throat, blood — all of them have reared their ugly heads. Even in a nasty disease, it’s possible to find gratitude — cancer has brought us closer together and we’ve learned to appreciate the time we have with each other. I’m blessed to still be a part of this clan. My own brush with cancer came in the form of an in situ melanoma 17 years ago this month. Ever since those scary days after the diagnosis, I’ve had a greater appreciation for life, not only my own, but everyone else’s as well.
I’m immensely grateful to all of you, the dedicated people who spend hours running, walking, and biking in the heat and the cold, the blazing sun and the pouring rain, screwing up the courage to ask everyone you know to donate money to your cause. Your ceaseless efforts help thousands of families like mine cope with the burden of a disease that maybe one day we’ll beat, but for now, is a frightening journey into a world we’d rather not experience.
As you reflect on your own blessings this holiday, don’t forget to give yourself a pat on the back. By pushing yourself to your own limits and beyond, you’re making a difference in the world, and for that, we’re all grateful.
Happy Thanksgiving!
No comments yet.