Ten years ago today, Mary and I went to Thanksgiving at my sister's with a secret.
The doctor called the day before with the results. Mary had breast cancer. The doctor called it a "very angry cancer." Given the growth of the cancer since Mary's last mammogram only nine months earlier, it was likely advanced, though the doctor couldn't tell us how far it spread until the surgery. It would lead to a double mastectomy, many months of chemo, many dozens radiation treatments and more doctors visits than I can count. I look at it as the year we had cancer.
We chose not to share the "news" on Thanksgiving ten years ago. So there we were at my sister's home, with news that we knew that was going to have a profound effect on our children, parents, our business and others. It was a surreal feeling.
Cancer is a teacher. It teaches us about life and death. It teaches us to be thankful, what to be thankful for and who to thank.
I imagine, as one lays dying that we feal thankful. If our mind is peaceful and we aren't in too much pain, we feel gratitude for people and moments throughout our life that we remember. I imagine as my eyes close and I take my last breadth and my soul is leaving my body, the feelings of gratitude turn into a feeling of love - a greater love than one has ever felt. All the gratitude becomes love.
Thanksgiving is wonderful reminder that there is so much to be grateful for. Praise God.
Have a happy and grateful Thanksgiving 💞
