In the US, we celebrate Thanksgiving Day. As with most things in current politics, it’s become a hot topic, like we’re fighting between settlers and Indians all over again. But I think for most people, it’s a time to take a step back, think about what we are grateful for, and give thanks to whomever it is appropriate.

If you are fighting a disease, this may be difficult. Just last week, I was in the hospital. I still have bruises, stitches, and scars to prove it. I’m not as strong as when I went in, emotionally as well as physically. It’s taking a toll.

But I am still alive.

One of my doctors was amazed at how well others did at removing the blood clot. At the same time, I can’t have the operation on my knee now because of the blood clot. Ying and Yang.

I have a choice – do I focus on what I have (breath) or what I don’t have (a body fit enough for the operation).

It’s the choice we all have. We can look at the positive things in life or the negative. We can be grateful, or we can be bitter.

It’s not easy to make that choice. In fact, it’s easier to feel sorry for ourselves, especially when we compare ourselves with others. But that is part of the challenge – to not compare. What am I grateful for? Not, what should they be more grateful for?

We are each unique as we make this journey with disease. We can look at what we can’t eat or enjoy what we can eat. We can hug our loved ones or long for those who are not there. We can live in the moment or fear the future.

I hope you had a lovely Thanksgiving Day filled with gratefulness. And if you didn’t, I hope you will still find gratefulness in today, and tomorrow, and every day you get to breathe on this earth.

I’d love to see pictures of your celebration of life –

Maggie