By Lois Hewitt

Thanksgiving is almost upon us!  Oh, the food and festivities!  Family and friends!  What a lovely day it will be as it’s the kick-off for the Christmas season.

This year has a different feel though. The food will be simple.  The festivities at a minimum.  Friends and family will be close in heart.  This year will be a bit subdued.

Although I am extremely happy to be here enjoying the day, I’m weary from the last few weeks life trip.  Illness and weather have taken it out of me.

But grateful I am.  Grateful to be alive!  Grateful to be safe and comforted.  Grateful for food, no matter how modest.  Grateful for clothes, cars, electricity and water.  Grateful for all the things so many lost.  It’s humbling to think about what Helene did to those who are still suffering.

Grateful for doctors and nurses who have and will continue to take such good care of me.  Grateful for this disease as it deepens my hold on Jesus’ hand. 

I promised, in the beginning of this particular journey, that I wasn’t going to be all about cancer.  But I am finding it does filter into every part of your life. As does the hurricane.

I can’t quite seem to “get away” from either.  Even though there is sadness and grief, grateful I am.

Unexpected events, curves in life’s road, or plot twists you didn’t see coming, effect you.  You have the option to become bitter or you can chose to be better.  I have been bitter in the past, I chose to be better now.

I am reminded this Thanksgiving that I truly have more blessings in my life than I could ever deserve.  I am surrounded by the best humanity has to offer and I’m covered in the blood shed on the cross by Jesus.

I have no idea what the future holds but you don’t need a cancer diagnosis to say that.  None of us is privy to what is around the corner.  But I am slowly learning that the clock is ticking and I need to celebrate the gratitude!

My eyes seem full of tears, ready to spill out at any time.  Whether it is from sadness or beauty, my emotions run strong lately.  The old me would have considered that weakness but now I see it as a blessing. 

Being alive is full of pitfalls. But also full of beauty and love.  Being consumed by pitfalls derails joy for the things in life that are given, it steals gratitude.

I want everyday to be a Thanksgiving of sorts.  No matter the circumstances, no matter the way, I want to have the deepest sense of gratitude filling my soul.

As the day approaches, I pray you too are filled with gratitude no matter the circumstance. Filled with a joy that is not dependent on what’s happening. I pray that Jesus in His infinite love covers you and comforts you.

Grateful I am for all my many blessings and grateful I am to be a child of God.  Prayers to you, my friend, prayers of love, peace, joy and gratitude.