To say this Thanksgiving was the best one ever wouldn't be an overstatement at all. When I was faced with a diagnosis of cancer as a late birthday present in February I knew I was in for the fight of my Life. This was much more than a drunken brawl at a bar or a party over something that in all reality was always just an example of stupid shit that many of us are guilty of in our younger years. When it came to thinking about the possibility that I would not be here for Thanksgiving let alone Christmas that was something I couldn't allow myself to do. Forget about talking about it either because the idea of having that conversation felt akin to giving in and I refused to do that.
We had an awesome Thanksgiving dinner on Sunday made with love by my amazing wife. We have both worked in call centers since the turn of this century and anyone else out there who works in one of those salt mines of the city knows it is very rare to get a holiday off. We have become accustomed to the practice of Thanksgiving on the weekend that follows it, which ends up being a nice way to start the holiday season with a running start. I devoured my whole plate before she finished hers, which happens rarely even though my portions are still small compared to my pre-diagnosis meals.
When we called Mom and Dad after dinner we got the conversation started about why this was the best Thanksgiving ever and talked about the ones to come and it felt really good to do that. Later my wife and I continued the conversation after that door opened.
I could only imagine what went through her mind on a daily basis at the beginning of this battle and hearing from her what it was like then was enlightening and further hardened the cement in the conviction that I am so thoroughly loved. I told her back when we first decided to be together that she can tell me she loves me all she wants though I'd rather have her show me. She has never disappointed in that regard. She still shows me every day and it's been vital for me in this past year and still is.
My thinking at the the beginning of this challenging year was foggy at best from the pain, drugs or being carted from one doctor or test to another that was happening on any singular day. I do know I wondered how my girl was doing and I 'd ask. And she, in her own similar to my "do it myself" fashion said she was fine and wouldn't let on what was going on for her. The clarity I have now versus the lack of recall I have for much of those first couple months makes me grateful.
Our after dinner conversation evolved into how thankful we both were for having this holiday together and about the ones we have yet to come. Just being able to share this holiday together made it the best Thanksgiving ever. As I finished that sentence a thought came to me in the form of a question.
Isn't every holiday the best one of its kind ever if you get to celebrate it with those you love and who love you?
My holiday wish for each and every one of you is that the answer to that question is a resounding yes.
HAPPY HOLIDAYS
Well buddy, let me just say how happy I am that we have you for another holiday season, and that you have found such a wonderful wife to be there with you. I haven't seen you in a while now, but know that my heart and well wishes are with you!
ReplyDeleteThanks Rob, I've missed seeing you also. Yes it sure is good to be able have this holiday season to share.
DeleteFirst, let me say how thrilled I am to see you able to put pen to paper again or should I say keys to the computer. Secondly or should I say firstly, glad you are still with us and proving those docs wrong! We are proud to call you our son in law and so proud to see how our daughter has stepped up and taken care of you and everything else. You are so good together and we could feel the love when we spent last week with you. Keep fighting the good fight and having a positive attitude. We love you!! So great to have your blog back online👍
ReplyDeleteGreg, your words really touched my heart, and I'm so thankful that you are here to share your thoughts. I remember the numbness and shock when we first received my wife's cancer diagnosis. We were in a complete fog. The same was true when I was diagnosed. Here we are now, seven years past her cancer surgery, and she got the all clear from the doctor last month. I'm still in remission and doing well. We, too, are grateful for every day, holiday or otherwise, that we are blessed with another day together on this beautiful earth and to share the deep and abiding love we have together. Keep writing, my friend! You are touching hearts with sharing your story. God bless you and your wife.
ReplyDeleteSteve Craddock
Hey Brother...well said.
ReplyDeleteI have a book written by a good friend. It title is The Wisdom of Doing Things Wrong. It was written primarily for business types but has some good stuff for all of us. The last chapter is called..The Book of Lasts. Those two pages got to me as this tiny chapter, just two pages long, was written about the events in our daily lives that we take for granted, but could well be the last time we ever do them. The last time you held your daughter on your shoulder as child, the last time you called a loved one just for the hell of it and so on. The point was that we should never take for granted those things in our daily lives that might never happen again. We cancer folks know all about that and thats why your Best Thanksgiving Ever hit me hard. Well done. Hang tough, we all my be defeated, but its not because we quit!!
Greg