A Grateful Heart

What's going on in your life right now to cause you to be thankful? 

 

I am thankful my father-in-law is recovering well from open heart surgery this week..

Within just a couple of days this special man had a doctor's appointment, angiogram, and immediately was told he had 95% blockage and needed open heart surgery.    We are very grateful that he was diagnosed in time, that he had a successful surgery and we are continuing to pray that he will have a good recovery.  

I am thankful there are individuals who WANT to be surgeons, who have the skills and abilities to perform such an operation, and for every caregiver who continues to be with him and monitor him and keep him on the right track.  I am also thankful for the many people who have been praying for him.  I am reminded many times of the verse "Where two or more are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them."   There is so much power in prayer.   It is also humbling to  have friends from across the world who I have only met through Social Media who are taking the time to pray.  I am totally in awe of the friendships that I have made..people who truly care and are supportive in so many ways.  I know it's the way God designed us to be — encouraging, loving, showing kindness, mercy, grace — being reflective of Jesus Himself — and I am totally grateful for each and every  person He places in my path.

 

My own father had open heart surgery over seven years ago in the same hospital.  The anxiety of waiting, not knowing for sure what to expect, seeing our loved ones hurting and not being able to communicate for periods of time is truly a scary thing.  It is very difficult to watch those we love go through both physical and emotional pain.  Whether it be a surgery, cancer treatment, trauma from an accident, loss of a loved one, miscarriage — whatever the case may be — it is never easy to watch our loved ones hurting.  I am grateful for each and every individual who truly shares compassion with others, who reaches out to say "You're not alone — I care what you are going through." 

I am thankful  to have been given a good report from my mammogram this week.

 

I really don't like talking about the fact that I had breast cancer.  It brings back too many memories that I would just as soon "bottle up" and push totally out of my mind.   However, as I've gotten to know so many of my new "Social Media" friends the past few months, and have been drawn into their worlds because of the transparency they have shown in hopes that they might be an encouragement to others, I am feeling led to share a bit of my "past" as well.   I do find so many blessings in my experience with breast cancer…I met one of my very best friends while going through chemo.  We actually were diagnosed about the same time, had the same surgeon, so many of the same experiences.   We met while sitting in our chairs "receiving" chemo…. We just "clicked," and I totally know that God placed us in each other's lives.  We used to email each other in the middle of the night because we couldn't' sleep and were experiencing similar effects of chemo, radiation, or just simply needed to talk to someone who truly knew what the other was feeling.   It's hard to say you know what someone is is feeling if you aren't experiencing the same challenge. I am still thankful that I was given this friend to help me through this time.  We still call each other when we have follow-up appointments or just need to be encouraged.    So, this week, when I "passed" my mammogram test again, I was absolutely ecstatic.   And, I am absolutely heartbroken for those whose report isn't good.    These individuals need notes of encouragement more than you realize. I want to be that source of encouagement and support to others.

I am thankful for the technician who had compassion for me and knew that I was anxious…she definitely is great at her job…she truly cares.   I am thankful for my surgeon from almost four years ago, who I happened to run into at the hospital when with my husband's family for my father in-law's surgery, and she took the time to come and ask how "I" was doing.  This shows me how much she really cares.   I'm thankful for my radiologist who reassures that the word "cancer" doesn't have to be a final word.  Living in fear rather than faith is a waste of precious time.  This physician truly loves his patients and reminds them, including me, that we should ALL live each day to the best of our ability. Each of us wakes up every day not knowing what will enfold in our day.  Each day for every one of us is truly a gift and God has big plans for every one of us.  He reminds me that  cancer can be a blessing in that it "wakes you up" to live your life to the fullest.  

 

I am always, always, always grateful for my God, my family and my friends who give me love, support and encouragement.

 

I am grateful for each of these individuals and today am sending each of them a personal note telling them just what their support and compassion has meant to me!     

 

What and WHO are you grateful for today?  I hope you tell them!

Tagged as: compassion, encouragement, grateful heart, open heart surgery, reaching out, support, thankful