Thankfulness

I am thankful. With Thanksgiving approaching many are counting their blessings and sharing what they are thankful for. Most are the general generic I'm thankful for my health, family, friends, place to live, and the list goes on and on. But you know for me those generic things don't come so easily. 

What I'm thankful for is probably much different than the average person...I know being sick probably would mean that I have absolutely nothing to be thankful for because I mean what person who has a life-threatening, rare disease had anything to be thankful for? Well your wrong. I guess people look at people who are sick as if it's some extreme burden and nothing good ever comes out of it. I would say you are wrong. Being sick has taught me how to love life and value every moment because you never know what may happen the next. That's something I think healthy people miss out on. You don't realize what value life really has until it's almost taken from you. Sick people sadly have gone through those situations and I think it makes them some of the most selfless and amazing people. Yes healthy people are pretty awesome too. But these people understand that life is absolutely beautiful and you just have to take a look around and you'll see some breathtaking moments. You learn to love everything. The good the bad and the ugly in life. I am thankful.

Being sick has made me thankful for family. Family who will always stick by your side even when the going gets tough. The ones who fight for you and fight with you. They cherish the little things and celebrate those successes but they also cry with you during those times that aren't so pretty or happy. Having a mom who will take care of you 24.7 giving you medications when you are too sick. Spending late nights at the hospital, or waking up so early to head out the door for yet another procedure, and the worst of all sleeping in the world's most uncomfortable hospital pull out bed. I am thankful.

Thankful for the friends who send their love and prayers. Friends who won't shy away because I am sick. And those who are wanting to understand what I go through. The friends who make meals, care for my siblings, who come visit me in the hospital, the ones who send me simple texts of encouragement, and those who just want me to know they care.  My prayer warriors who make me feel special and important like someone cares about me. I am thankful.

I'm thankful for my life. Being here today is a miracle. I'm thankful for doctors, surgeons, nurses, feeding tubes, central lines, and TPN(IV nutrition). These are the things that keep me alive! Without them I wouldn't have anything to be thankful for. I am thankful. 

So yes in a round-a-bout way I am thankful for being sick. But when you think about it no I am not thankful for being sick. I am thankful for what being sick has given me. Being sick has given me a chance to love life, realize the value of every moment, to know how important friends and family can be, and just what it means to live without a care in the world. I am thankful for life itself, for living, breathing, and dreaming! I am thankful.