Wow. I haven't written much this year and I don't really know why other than the fact that I've been busy. It's a sad excuse and one I'm ashamed to admit, particularly since I love writing.
It's hard to believe how fast the year has flown. My grandmother always used to say, "The older you get, the faster time flies." Boy, was she right. At almost 67, it seems I blink and the year is over.
Thanksgiving will be in 9 days! It's a time of year I've always enjoyed but this year, it will be very different. Instead of getting to spend the day with my family, I'll be spending it with some of my husband's relatives.
I'd posted on Facebook about our plans to spend the holiday alone this year since the kids were doing their own thing, and was pleasantly surprised when my husband's cousin reached out. Her invitation to have us join their family was unexpected but very welcomed. Since most of my husband's relatives are already deceased or live far away, we don't get to see them often other than at funerals and I felt it important to accept her gracious offer. It will definitely be different, especially since I don't know his side of the family well, but I'm sure we'll enjoy being with them and making new memories.
I'm thankful I won't have to do all the meal prep this year, as I normally do. I won't have to scour the house making sure everything is clean and tidy before the kids and grands rush in. Instead, I'll make a couple of dishes to take with us and I'll get a chance to enjoy the day in a new way. Of course, I'll miss the banter and laughter that normally accompanies the kids when they arrive, but it might be nice to have a peaceful, quiet holiday with older folks.
Thinking back over the years, I have so much to be grateful for. I've almost lost my life several times, but God's allowed me to live. In 1971, my gallbladder burst and gangrene began to set in prompting my doctor to do emergency surgery to remove the organ. I'd suffered for an entire year before they ever figured out what was wrong with me.
In 1991, I was in a terrible car accident. I was hit head on by a 2 1/2 ton truck. The driver was diabetic and had forgotten to take his insulin that morning. He lost conciousness while driving and hit me head on. My right leg was crushed and had to be put back together with steel pins. I was in a wheelchair for a year and a half. My bones didn't want to fuse back together and the doctor talked about amputation, but God allowed me to slowly recover. I spent another year on crutches before being able to walk without aid. I was so grateful.
In 2005, an endocrinologist discovered lumps in my throat. Biopsies revealed they were precancerous so I had to have my thyroid gland removed.
In 2014, I was diagnosed with stage 2B invasive ductal carcinoma breast cancer. Aggressive medical treatment which included surgery helped me survive.
Earlier this year, I had another major surgery to repair a hiatal hernia. Just a few days after that surgery, I had complications that led to the development of an ileus (which basically means your bowel shuts down.) I was rushed to the ER and spent a week in the hospital until they could get me stablized. 2 more times this year, I've been rushed to the ER with tacycardia...it's like Satan has tried over and over again to take me out, but God said it isn't time yet.
Every day I feel like I'm living on borrowed time. That's why I look for reasons to be grateful. I've started writing down at least 3 things each day for which I'm thankful. It's helped to shift my focus from my physical ailments to one of gratitude.
The health issues aren't quite over though. In January, I'll have a total knee replacement. My left knee has given out. I've already had 2 surgeries on it and have had 4 cortisone injections trying to prolong the inevitable. I don't want another surgery, but I love walking so I'm going to have to do it. The doc says there's no cartilage in there anymore and I'm currently walking bone on bone.
We have so much to be thankful for - not only the physical comforts we enjoy on a daily basis, but for all the blessings God allows into our lives.This Thanksgiving, I pray you'll find yourself looking for reasons to celebrate His goodness. There are others more unfortunate than you, whether you know them or not.
This is the first year I've put my Christmas tree up before Thanksgiving, too! Since we weren't going to have any of the family here to celebrate Thanksgiving with us, I figured why not. At least I'll get to enjoy the pretty tree and decorations a few weeks longer than normal and I may decide to leave it up til mid January, too.
Holiday traditions are wonderful. We find peace and comfort in the routine, but I think sometimes God wants us to be willing to be flexible. I'm trying hard to think that way and look for unexpected blessings in the flexibility.
There's a wonderful book I read years ago called "1000 Gifts" by Ann Voskamp. The book focuses on her desire to live a life of gratitude after tragically losing her little sister. She learned that living Eucharisteo means living a life of thanks. It's a very poignant book and if you haven't read it, I hope you will.
May you find much to be thankful for this year and may God bless you with the love of family and friends this holiday season. I'll try to write more in the days ahead, I've already made it one of my New Year's resolutions.