Giving Thanks

Things I’m thankful for:

• I am thankful that I’ve been alive to celebrate 40 Thanksgivings.
• My daughter, who is fiercely independent and strong and is working out how to manage those amazing attributes as she continues to grow into the person I’m already in awe of.
• My son, who is filled with sweet kindness, worry, love and nurturing.   Although above all else, he’d value me calling him funny.  So…he’s funny.
• My husband, who is taking on the weight of the world as he continues to be a success at work everyday and return home to not just normal hectic family life, but one where his responsibilities are greatly increased and his emotional load heavy.
• I am full of appreciation for the values, traditions and love instilled in me from the examples my parents have set and continue to do so.
• The family and friends who surround me and make this all feel manageable and give me the optimism that I’ll need to get through it.  They are giving me a shoulder to cry on…a brief missive of love…a prayer…a meal…an offer to be there at a moment’s notice, no matter what.
• The medical professionals who are aren’t just invested in me because it’s their job, but because they have a calling to eradicate Pulmonary Hypertension…or, just as importantly, to make my life easier as I deal with it.
• The person who right now is going about their business like usual, not knowing that they are going to save my life someday.