Thanksgiving

It’s been a very chilly, rainy, grey day, with a distinctly “have a cup of hot chocolate and wrap up in a blanket” days.  Jerry certainly got that hint, as he’s been surgically attached to me all day.  As soon as I sit in my chair, he’s on my lap and sitting looking disapprovingly at me for wanting to read, write, crochet or even watch TV.  Don is feeling reasonably ok, and was actually watching something other than sport for a while.  That’s temporary, as he recorded 2 games and watched another one this afternoon when I wasn’t controlling the remote.  

I seem to have a pattern of sleeping reasonably well after a few nights’ interruptions.  I had a decent night last night, although I woke up around 3 to look up something that was bugging me in my sleep, then back to sleep again.  I cooked today — oven-fried chicken wings, rice and lentils — and had a fairly decent serving.  Reports from home are that Daddy had an OK night, and is settling better today, which is good.  We’ve arranged for nursing help starting tomorrow to help him and give my sister a break.

It’s Thanksgiving this weekend; I’m never sure if the celebration is Sunday or Monday, as it seems to depend on the family itself.  It’s not something that we celebrate in Trinidad directly, although many of the churches will have harvest festivals around this time of year — some links to the old sugar industry — and I always enjoyed going to them.  Since my new home has this thanksgiving tradition, one of the things I like is the habit of saying the things for which we are thankful.  With that in mind, I’d like to share these thoughts.

I’m thankful for having friends and family who are supportive, caring and who look out for me.  It’s really awesome to know that I have these people on whom I can rely, and that there are those who ensure that they call me daily to check on my wellbeing.  I’m thankful for knowing that I’m loved and cared for, including by people who live a long way away.  There are so many people who have no one who they can call, so I feel very blessed for the care I have.

I’m grateful for my medical team — I sing their praises regularly enough that you should know how highly I rate them!  My doctors, nurses, supporters, pharmacists and others, who are proactive in planning my care in addition to responding to my concerns.  

I’m also thankful that I have a certain level of independence, even though I’m more restricted than I used to be.  I can still cook, read, crochet, write, conduct analyses and do many of the things I’ve always liked to do.  I might not be able to do them as often, or as quickly, as I used to, but they do provide me with release and ways to be creative as needed.  My limitations are there, and are frustrating but won’t stop me from enjoying as much of life as I can.

And thanks for the various emails, texts, messages and calls that I get that give me a break from routine so I can focus on fun and enjoyment and not just be looking at medical info or going only to the hospital.  Nobody would believe me if I weren’t grateful for Don (even when he’s being stubborn), Jerry, my godchildren, nieces, nephews, sisters and brothers — both blood and adopted — and all those who show me lots of love on a daily basis.

I’ll just say “Give thanks with a grateful heart, give thanks with a joyful heart, give thanks”  It’s a beautiful song with a very important message!  Good night!