Thanksgiving has greater meaning...

2008 has not been the kindest of years... understatement!  It's because of the ordeals of life that I've come to appreciate the positives so much more.  I am thankful and blessed. 

I am thankful for mammograms and the watchful eyes that scan those blurry blobs and know what to look for.  Blessed are the technicians for they are on the frontline of defense.

I am thankful my surgeon paid attention in med school so she knew just what to do.  Blessed is the surgeon with skill and knowledge and a positive bedside manner to go with it, for she is rare.

I am thankful for the oncologist that agonized over the best course of treatment and her honesty in letting me know what she would do if she were in my shoes.  Blessed is the doctor who prescribed what I didn't want to hear because her experience knew the long term results.

I am thankful for the genetics counselor who had to deliver bad news, but put a positive spin on it because now we know what we're dealing with and can take action.  Blessed is the counselor that reads tomes of scientific data and can interpret it to the bewildered.

I am thankful for the many friends and relatives who have offered up thoughts and prayers in my behalf and brought good food to nourish body, soul and a sweet tooth.  Blessed are those who reach out and envelope me with awesome kindness and weed my garden.

I am thankful for the color pink... a color that has come to mean much by its symbolism of unity in the fight against breast cancer.  Blessed are all the bald ladies who aren't taking this lying down.  They're fighting mad and looking for a cure!

I am thankful for warm goofy kitties vying for my lap and silly dogs that are ecstatic to see me no matter what kind of day I've had.  I'm thankful for noisy yellow cockatiels and Mama cutting up junk mail and solving crosswords contentedly in her own little world.  I love the man I married who shares good times and bad and is there when I need him to hold my hand or open a pickle jar.  I love the sound of daughters laughing together and I melt when a two year old says "I wuv you Grandma."  Blessed are my family for they lift me up and make me smile.

I am thankful for sun and rain and even the blustery days.  I'm thankful for flowers and trees (but God, what were you thinking when you made slugs so prolific?)  I'm thankful for the smell of coffee in the morning, sad songs on the radio, a great pastor that feeds my soul, and door spot parking spaces.  Blessed are the little things that were not noticed before... they make life rich and full.  Thank you God!  Blessed am I.

Melanie