Reflections on Gratitude

Autumn is a lovely reflective time of the year. Often during those first long cold chilly nights, I think with gratitude of the many gifts life has given me. This year especially the need to acknowledge those gifts is epecially important both for my boys and for myself.

I am so very thankful for: The wonderful people in my life who understand the concept of healing, compassion, character, humor and integrity. They are without a doubt, a life affirming joy. My sister in-law Gail, her husband Lenny, my niece Krissy, and her boys. They truly understand the meaning of love and forgiveness and giving of themselves without reserve. Their inner beauty shows on their loving faces.

Waking up each morning thanking God for another day. A bright clean slate on which wrongs can be righted, saying I love you can be said, and the chance to just make someones day a little bit better for having spoken with them. Writ large on this slate are the words " The past is dead and gone, tomorrow is not promised, we only have today"

I'm grateful for my illness, for it has taught me compassion, patience and understanding of others who are ill. It has slowed my life down enough I can truly take time to find the beauty in nature, and celebrate all the wonders of this life. That old wheelchair has enabled me to see from others perspectives, what happens when you're seen as "different" or less than. It's often not pretty, but I'm so glad that God gave me this opportunity to live as so many others do, yet suffer in silence.

My boys are a priceless gift. They are brave, strong, creative, funny, loving and giving. Watching them grow from those first shaky baby steps, struggling with puberty and experiencing the ordeal of their Daddy's dying has been an experience that has only strengthened the bond between us.

And most of all I'm so grateful to have had 34 years of life, love, laughter and pain with my husband David, who died September 17, 2006. Though his dying was a terrible ordeal for all of us, the love and compassion, the lessons learned are something I will always be thankful for. Champ, if you're reading this-thank you my heart for helping us learn to let go without reserve, of all resentment bitterness and pain and just love one another. Question, when you're feeling down or simply thinking about your life, what are you most grateful for?