Thanks
Thanksgiving is this week. And while I am on vacation, I have put together a few posts to keep you thinking of me occupied while I’m away. Today, I’m going to talk about a few things for which or to whom I’d like to give thanks.
Last week, I found out a good friend of mine had a couple blood clots in her leg. This friend is extremely active (heck, she even works for a big name cycling company!) and overall is very healthy. The past few months have been hard on her health. Besides being thankful that she is alive, caught these clots before they became deadly and is able to get treatment for the problem, I am so thankful for her friendship. We met through a mutual friend (whom neither of us speak to anymore – a funny story for another day), have traveled overseas together and have stayed in touch despite her decision to leave Chicago for the northern land. I love her true dedication to an organic lifestyle. She’s one of those rare breeds who needs very little – she seldom watches TV or goes to the movies, spending her time with friends, cooking, shopping at the local farmer’s markets and reading. Oh and she has such a penchant for travel – she’s constantly thinking about where she will go next. I am thankful she lives only a few hours away, though I wish I saw her more often.
I am thankful that both shootings in my neighborhood this week were isolated incidents, not likely to happen again. Or so they say.
I am thankful for modern medicine. The pastor who co-officiated our wedding and is the lead pastor for Sweets’ parents’ church has battled multiple sclerosis for years. His health has worsened over the years. He was admitted to a program in a local hospital where they are stripping his body of all white blood cells and then rebuilding his immune system organically. It’s a risky procedure. There will be days when he has no white blood cells and his body is unable to fight off infection. There will be critical moments in this therapy. And yet, I’m thankful he has the opportunity to participate in such a program. I’m thankful he has hope for the future. I am thankful he has the potential to be better off than before.
I am thankful for Sweets. I could write a book here. I won’t. Instead I’ll just say I’m thankful for his presence in my life. For what he brings into my life. Yeah, all of it.
I am thankful for my family and friends. Everyday, one of them supports me. Sometimes it’s direct support – they know they’re helping me out. Other times, it’s just their voice (whether live, over the phone or written in an email) that pushes me along. I’m thankful that I have friends from all walks of life. Thankful for the ones who get me to run races with them. Thankful for the ones who get me to eat chocolate cake with them. Thankful for the ones I see everyday. And thankful for the ones I see only from time to time. My life is infinitely more interesting because of them. And I am infinitely thankful for their presence in my life..
I am thankful for the seasons. All four of them. While I might not be beyond groaning when the weather turns from cool and crisp to frigid and nasty, I do appreciate the change of seasons. I love breathing in the fall air and watching the leaves turn vibrant yellows, oranges and reds. I love bundling up in cozy winter clothes and romping in the snow. I love hearing the birds chirp and watching things spring into bloom. I love the heat of the sun, all things outdoors, the long days of sunlight and the easy-going mentality of summer. I love that I live in a place providing me a dose of each.
I am thankful for my life. My whole life. The good. The bad. And the very seldom ugly. I have a good life. A healthy life. A balanced life. A life without regrets. A life I try not to take for granted.
What or whom makes you thankful?
November 23rd, 2009 at 7:53 am
i’m thankful for my friends, family and health (although i would like to loose multiple pounds, ha)
oh, and bloggers like you!
have fun on your vacation!
November 23rd, 2009 at 8:31 am
I love this post. I have been wanting to write a post about how thankful I am to have such a wonderful husband, and how lucky I realize I am, but with so many friends not being in happy relationships (or in one at all) I feel like I am gloating. It’s just that I feel so loved, happy, supported, secure, etc. I just want to share the happiness.
November 23rd, 2009 at 9:28 am
I think I need to write a thankful post too! Is “everything” too broad of an answer? Because I really am. Life is good. Even when 100% of it isn’t.
November 23rd, 2009 at 9:39 am
This is a beautiful post Nilsa. I am thankful for my friends both the ones I’ve known since I was a kid to the ones I met because of my blog. They each bring something incredible into my life. I’m thankful for my family — my mom and brother who continually support me and love me with out question.
November 23rd, 2009 at 9:46 am
Powerful post; I’m in near tears at my desk for some reason!
Short list of what I’m thankful for: my dog, Jack. My supportive and awesome family. My friends: all of them! My health, my job, and my good fortune.
November 23rd, 2009 at 9:54 am
Mostly, I’m thankful for my second chance at life.
November 23rd, 2009 at 10:22 am
I am thankful for my friends, my family, the fact that this year the doctors finally got my health under control and the fact that even though I have lost my job and felt the economic downturn, I am still about to survive pretty comfortably.
November 23rd, 2009 at 10:46 am
I’m thankful for your thoughtful posts =)
November 23rd, 2009 at 11:02 am
Well I’m almost MOST grateful for good health. 2nd only to that is the good health of family and friends. And of course I’m grateful to family and friends. :) Have a nice thanksgiving!
November 23rd, 2009 at 11:15 am
Lots to be thankful for you in your life! I’m glad about that.
November 23rd, 2009 at 11:17 am
I am thankful for wonderful friends and family, whom, even when everything isn’t going right, make ever day worthwhile!
November 23rd, 2009 at 5:01 pm
I’m thankful that even when I make mistakes, I seem to always have a chance for a do-over. Life has been very generous to me that way.
November 23rd, 2009 at 6:15 pm
“I’m thankful both shootings in my neighborhood were isolated incidents.”
Is it wrong that I found that really, really funny?
I’m sorry. I hope you don’t get shot, Nilsa.
I’m thankful for two healthy babies and a good husband and a nice house and for pie. Chocolate cream pie that my mom is going to make. JUST FOR ME BECAUSE I’M SPECIAL.
November 24th, 2009 at 4:11 pm
I’m thankful for bloggers who take the time, not only to write wonderful, thought-provoking posts, but to engage in lively discussions off the blog. I’m thankful I can call those people friends even if I’ve never met them. :)