There’s Plenty to be Thankful For!

There’s Plenty to be Thankful For!

It has been one of those years. Unsettled markets, fluctuating fuel prices, uncertain financial futures for many. Some of us have been challenged by illnesses, family dynamics, job losses – and a gamut of other things that only you may know about. Many of these circumstances may seem to be enough to beat us down, to snuff out our spirits, and make us forget the things we have to be thankful for.

But it is when we ARE faced with such challenges that we need to train ourselves to stop dragging our chins on the ground AND START COUNTING OUR BLESSINGS!

I have had the privilege of meeting many new friends this year. Many of these acquaintances have been made in an unlikely setting – a medium-sized hospital - and the common denominator of us all is that we are doing our best to support and care for loved ones who are critically ill, injured, or are dying. Over an extended period of time, I have met and interacted with so many inspirational people, literally ranging from age 3 to age 103.

Although I promised I wouldn’t mention many real names, I would like to share a few examples of the inspirational people I have met:

Sadie, age 17, isn’t shy and wants me to use her name on this Thanksgiving blog –
Sadie is at the hospital because her boyfriend Seth suffered extreme head injuries after being hit by a drunk driver in January, 2009. Sadie comes every single day to the hospital to see Seth (except for 2 days when she had the flu) and then she sent her sister to fill in for her … Seth is in a coma, but Sadie is convinced that she can make a difference and that Seth is going to wake up any day, with her help. Sadie does homework with Seth OUT LOUD each day so he will not fall behind too much in his school classes, because he wants to be a research doctor, and she just knows he can hear her. Her faith never waivers – and I have to say I have never met a teen with such pure faith and thankfulness in her heart – her attributes put many with more life experience to shame. Sadie is thankful and wanted to share this with anyone who reads this blog:
“I am thankful for my family who allows me to come here every day and takes my devotion to Seth and his future seriously. I am thankful that Seth didn’t die in that accident because I know he has so much to offer the future, and drunk drivers don’t deserve to take another life from Seth’s family, or any family, for that matter. And I am thankful for everyone who comes in to encourage me from time to time, too. It is not easy, but I know I am supposed to be here, no matter what.”

I am thankful for having met Sadie; at 17 years old, she has wisdom of the ages and a thankful spirit way beyond her years.

An elderly friend I have made, who I will call “Ralph”, is 83 years old:
Ralph has lived through wars (World War II and a special stint as a consultant in Vietnam), two house fires, and a mugging in Washington D.C. that happened when he was summoned to receive a prestigious medal from President Clinton.
Ralph’s reason for being at this hospital is his adult son, who has end-stage organ failure from cerebral palsy. Ralph has been a widower for 11 years now. He never thought he would be the first to go, and misses his wife dearly, but Ralph is thankful. He is thankful to have been able to serve his country. He tells me that once you are sent to another country under war conditions, “if you have half a brain, you never forget to be thankful for living in the United States.” Ralph tells me his son is very close to going home to being with the Lord, and Ralph is extra thankful that he has been able to be around to care for his son at home.

Ralph puts things in perspective for me.

There are other examples, too:

The family with 6 children under age 13 who have unexpectedly added premature twins to their bulging household after both parents recently lost their jobs. Family members come every day to give their preemies love and interaction. How much can one family take? In a situation that is far less than ideal by today’s standards, this family pulls together in ways that are inspirational. The grandparents have taken on the care of the youngest children, and each grandparent and many aunts and uncles have added a paper route to their early mornings to put some money into the family’s tills. Their love never waivers, and each child in that family knows they are loved, valued, and will be taught responsibilities necessary to be productive and decent adults. The parents of this growing family, although they are faced with seemingly insurmountable challenges now, continue to profess their thanksgiving for a healthy family, their tiny, beautiful baby girls, a place to live, and the love they all share.
Their family photo could be on a poster professing the word “Thankful.” What inspirations they all are!

I also met an over-the-road trucker whose liver is failing after years of what he calls “hard drinking” before he bought his semi-truck and went over the road. He is thankful – for having seen the beautiful places he drove to, for a faithful, loving wife, and for being sober for 13 years now.

I am very thankful for having met all these folks, and others I have not mentioned for the sake of space. They have done more for my spirit of thankfulness than they will ever know.

Times are tough for many of us right now, but things will get better. Start watching every day for things you have to be thankful for – after all, it’s not just turkey that this day is about. But don’t limit your vigilance to only Thanksgiving Day! EVERY day we have much to be thankful for. Every day we wake up is a bonus. Please don’t take it for granted.

‘Til next time,
Wishing you all a very Happy Thanksgiving from the folks Midwestern Cattle Marketing and me (Tracy).