Thanksgiving, 2005

StacyGleaso

I posted this back in 2005. As I scrolled back to the old messages to find it, I ran across many names who brought tears to my eyes since they are no longer here. I will miss them. Always.

OK, enough of that....here's the post:

Majority of you know that today is Thanksgiving here in the US of A. Regardless of your location, take a minute to think about the things you appreciate in life.
Go ahead, I'll wait...............................................................................................

Ok, now here is my definition of Thanksgiving "before" and "after" diagnosis:

Before diagnosis: I was thankful when a moron driver in front of me finally got out of my "#^@&^$(" way.
After diagnosis: I was thankful I was healthy enough to drive a car!

Before diagnosis: I cringed when I would see certain relatives phone numbers on my caller ID.
After diagnosis: I welcomed anyone who was willing to take 2 minutes from their day just to say "hello."

Before diagnosis: I was thankful for the slew of friends I had.
After diagnosis: I was thankful for the ones who stuck by my side, and my new circle of "semi-colons."

Before diagnosis: I was thankful that the week was over, and the weekend was here for me to "enjoy."
After diagnosis: I was thankful for even Mondays!

Before diagnosis: My kids stood on the majority of my nerves, the majority of the time.
After diagnosis: My kids stand on every string of my heart.

Before diagnosis: I was thankful when the sun came up and the birds stopped chirping at 4 am.
After diagnosis: I was thankful when the sun came up and the birds CONTINUED chirping at 4 am.

Before diagnosis: I had no tolerance for people who took up my time for no real reason.
After diagnosis: I welcome everyone.

Before diagnosis: I existed...
After diagnosis: I live!

Yes, this disease is a tough fight, but when it's all said and done, the phrase is true, "What doesn't kill you makes you stronger."

Have a great holiday season, a great weekend, a great weekday, a great couple of hours each day, etc...

Stacy

msccolon

awesome post
Thank you so much, Stacy. I am posting this so my family will be able to read it.
mary

KathiM

Amen.
Thanks, Stacy, for sharing the post!

As you may have seen, I have much to be thankful for this year...

Hugs, Kathi

kmygil

Great Post
Stacy, your post hit it dead on. I'm copying it & sending it out to everyone I know. Happy Thanksgiving!

Kirsten

jsabol

So right
Hi Stacy,
I've been away for a bit, and it seems right that the first post I read on return is yours! I'm one of the folks who remembers this post the first time around...when I was nearly 2 years out from surgery. You are also right that we have lost too many here to this disease.

Thanksgiving of '03 found me sharing with family and friends my new diagnosis and upcoming surgery. It both seems like a very long time ago, and almost like yesterday!
I continue to be grateful to you and all my buddies here for the support to get through those first years; my thoughts and prayers are with all who remain in the battle.
Have a great Thanksgiving; LOVE the pic of you and the kids!
Judy

hannacat

Thanksgiving
Thak you Stacy. This is how I feel now also. Today I was going out of the grocery store and this older woman stopped in the middle of the door to reach back for a flier on a rack. She said"I'm sorry" I said" take your time." She went thru the doors and turned and said Thank You. Wonder how many thank you's i missed or days i could have made better if i was'nt always running on high speed. Funny how the little things mean so much. Thanks. Happy Thanksgiving.

menright

Stronger
Dear Stacy:

I have used the saying "What doesn't kill you makes you stronger." for years. Now it has far more meaning.

Thanks for the inspiration. The phone calls and people visiting are so true.

Happy Thanksgiving.

Mike

Betsydoglover

Thanksgiving
Hi Stacy -

I actually remember that post from 2005. I even saved it on my desktop. Thanks for the reminder, and I guess it is also pretty good news that I am still here to remember that.

Happy Thanksgiving,
Betsy

Kanort

I Remember!
Hi Stacy,

I loved this post in 2005 and still do! Thanks for reposting it! Have a wonderful Thanksgiving.

Hugs,

Kay

tootsie1

Happy Thanksgiving
That's beautiful! Thanks for posting it again, especially for those of us who weren't on the board when it was originally posted. I hope this year you have a fabulous Thanksgiving.

*hugs*
Gail

VickiCO

Thanks Stacy!
I opened this post for the first time this morning. I really needed it today. Thanks for bringing it out again.

One more:

Before diagnosis: I lived to work.
After diagnosis: I work to live!

Vicki