I have always enjoyed Thanksgiving week. Good food, time with friends and family and just a day or two to catch my breath from an overbooked summer or busy back to school season. However I don't think I could be much more thankful than I am this year. Let's start with the obvious. If you have been following my story or keeping in touch you know that about 11 months ago a local doctor let me know I was suffering from stage 4 cancer. I had colon and duodenal cancer that had spread to my liver and pancreas. He prescribed major surgery to remove 6 feet of colon and then 8 months of chemotherapy.
At the time I wasn't so sure I would be around for this year's Thanksgiving. But, here I am and here I intend to stay. I have followed doctors orders and feel better than I have in over a year. And of course, ready to enjoy another turkey dinner. The prognosis is good, even though I still have one of the two cancers in me. (The liver cancer is gone, the pancreatic cancer was never there and the colon cancer seems to be on hold).
This year has reminded me though just how blessed I am. In church on Sunday our Pastor mentioned one of my favorite scripture passages, Matthew 14:29 when Peter steps out of the boat onto the water, then realizes what has done and sinks in the water. Peter doesn't have faith that Jesus will protect him and allow him to continue to walk on the water.
This passage reminds me how this year has been for me as well we reminding me of just how thankful I am. First, throughout this year I have maintained my faith that God has a plan for me. My job was to stay connected with him and follow the path he laid out. This included the treatments and regaining my strength. It also required me to step out of my own "boat", my comfort zone, and allow people who wanted to help to provide that help. The plan could be compared to continuing my walk on the water once I stepped out the boat.
Second, I have been thankful for the reminder of just how blessed I am to have such a wonderful family. Everyone came to my aid and made sure I was in a position to heal and take care of myself, when the time was right.
In addition I have some incredible friends. Whether they are my doggie play group friends, fraternity brothers, church families or theater volunteers, so many people stepped up and brought dinners, ran errands or drove me around when needed, I am truly blessed. I could not begin to count the numbers of cards, emails, messages and thoughtful gifts I have gotten from this group young and old. It certainly is a reminder of the hearts we touch in our normal daily lives.
I am also reminded of the wonderful community I am a part of. It seems where ever I go in town people are praying for me, or have asked their prayer groups at church to pray for me. It also seems like thousands have taken up that charge and faithfully include me in their daily requests from God. This is most humbling as I hardly seem worthy of this kind of attention.
Included in my community are the people at work. All have been supportive, patient and willing to lend a hand It took some time to get back up to full speed and many have pitched in to fill in the gaps.
So this Thursday when I sit down for my meal I'll say a prayer and make sure I remember everyone who has given me something to be thankful for this year. It truly has allowed me to step out of the boat, my own comfort zone, and be faithfilled as I continue in this walk towards healing.
