I wonder how many blog posts being written today include the word "thankful"? It's probably a behavioral artifact that dates back to the essays we were coaxed into writing by teachers trying valiantly to keep our minds off the clock as we counted down the seconds before that final bell rang and we were granted 4 whole days off from school. Thanksgiving? Pilgrims? Plymouth Rock? Heck no. Kids everywhere knew the true meaning of those 4 precious days off...it was an amuse bouche to the real feast of time off that was lurking right around the corner -- winter vacation!
I try to remember to be thankful every day, in real time. Genuine acts of kindness are all around us. I like to consider and acknowledge them as they occur. But I'm still grateful that there's a special day set aside for us to...consider things. The Official Thanksgiving Agenda requires that we take some time to reflect upon the people and events in our lives that make us smile. Those special people in my life know who they are. But it's still worth pointing out that Thanksgiving is the only American holiday that is premised upon the act of reflection.
Reflecting upon this past year, I'm most thankful that I'll have the opportunity to celebrate another Thanksgiving with Jeanne. That wasn't necessarily a sure thing as she endured about 7 difficult weeks in the hospital earlier this year. I'm thankful for Audra Hindes' commitment to getting this blog launched. I know it helps other caregivers...not to mention this one. I'm thankful that Gail Murdock truly understands that MS affects families, not just individuals. I'm thankful that Paris, Jeanne's live-in caregiver, sent me an email telling me that she was the ideal caregiver for Jeanne, because she was right. I'm thankful that each day, at an ever increasing pace, science brings us closer to understanding the final mysteries of the body and brain. I'm thankful for the close friendships that I've come to treasure, the support of friends that keeps me going on those days when it seems as though I'm never going to swallow all that I've bitten off...along with all of that extra stuff that life decided to throw my way.
I hope you take a moment tomorrow to reflect on the people in the world that make you smile. After all, that's what the day is really all about. And if you end up feeling as good as I did putting together this short list, perhaps you'll want to make Thanksgiving a daily occurance too. Parade and turkey optional, of course.
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