What are you thankful for?

[Ellen]

Hello all.


I noticed there wasn't a thread in particular for what we all must have something to post about, so I thought I would start one. I am more thankful this year, than at any other time in my life. And I want to share.

A little over a year ago, I was given the opportunity to realize there truly is a God, and he has saved my life. I wish I could go into detail, but forum rules won't allow. I am pushing it as it is, but I am hoping the thread will be allowed to stay, as I am promising Andrey and the mods that I absolutely will not respond to any comments addressing my post content in particular. And I am hoping all will be respectful and not reply in a way that jeopardizes the thread.

I can't tell you the peace I have now, the wisdom, and the contentment of knowing where I'm going when I leave this earth. I have found the meaning of life. This is it guys. This is what everyone searches for, this is that "thing" that's missing in so many lives. This is what we spend all that money on with trips, cars, jewelry, etc. trying to fill the "need".

I am so thankful for this, as I now TRULY have the best of both worlds. This IS the blessed hope. And it's any of yours too, for the asking.


It's funny, I care about all of you (yes all, even the ones who haven't been so nice in the past, and are probably thinking not so nice things about me now) , even though I've never met most of you. And I realize this post may make every single one of you not want to talk to me ever again, and you know what? that's ok. I don't mind, because my message to you is that important. It's worth the gamble. Absolutely.

I hope you all have a blessed Thanksgiving.

 

[zoebartlett]

It's good to see you Ellen!

I'm thankful for amazing friends and family who have helped me in so many ways over the past few months.

 

[VRBeauty]

My life is not all I want it to be and it's so easy to dwell on the things that I think are lacking, yet when I really look at it I have to say "what's not to be thankful for?" I have health, opportunity, wealth to (relative!) excess, family and friends... if I'm lacking anything that's really important, it's due to choices I have made -- which also implies that I can make different choices.

So what am I thankful for? Pretty much everything.

My 14-year old nephew was diagnosed with a potentially life-threatening auto-immune disease this year. I'm thankful he was sent to the experts at Stanford children's hospital. I'm especially thankful that the doctors now think he will "outgrow" this disease --definitely not their words, but you know what I mean.

I'm thankful for my beloved Squeaky, and the almost twenty years that I got with him before he died earlier this year. (Maya is thankful that she will get to live the rest of her years as an only cat! )

I'm thankful to still have my parents, grateful that we all survived the my growing up process!

I'm thankful for the other people in my life... those I "know," and those who are a part of the fabric of my life though I might not know their names and might never even meet them.

I'm thankful for the strong foundation my parents gave me.

I am thankful to have a heart that can be grateful, one that hasn't been swamped with bitterness, regrets, or hatred.

 

[Steel]

Ellen I don't know nuthing about nuthing but I am glad to see you and whatever happiness you have found I am thankful for.

AFM: I am honest to goodness thankful for my husband.

 

[Hudson_Hawk]

I'm thankful for the little dude in my avatar...

 

[gemgirl]

Ellen, you have been missed. I am thankful for your life changing experience.

It's funny that I'm in a position that I never thought I'd be in. As half of a couple who usually emails "attitude of gratitude" messages to our marriage ministry throughout November, I've been having a hard time this week with gratitude. I'm trying to turn it around and I'm almost there. Just not quite *there* yet.

In April I found out that I had a large number of precancerous polyps in my colon. In June I almost bled to death and was on the critical list because of the surgeon's negligence. I was given a chance to rebound from that and in September I went back to begin the process of having more polyps removed. That surgeon said (shockingly) that he didn't see anything worth taking out and I should come back in three yrs. (Totally nuts) Last Friday I had my fifth colonoscopy in seven months and the specialist who was supposed to remove my remaining polyps- didn't, because I have many more than we thought and attempting to remove them all could possibly cost me my life. He told me I have a polyposis syndrome that will keep manufacturing these pre-c polyps. So we're waiting to see him again next Thursday when the pathology reports come back to discuss removing either 2/3 -or- all of my colon. He said I was "lucky" that they found them now before anything turned into cancer, that I was "ahead of the curve" and being given the chance to get rid of this threat and live a normal life.

I am grateful that I've made it through this year. I am also grateful that I don't have cancer. At least that's his opinion with the advanced technology he used. I'm having a hard time thinking of how different I will be and my life might be without a necessary body part. I'm still struggling with that. So I guess I'm stranded between gratitude and I can't believe this is happening to me. I am however, overwhelmingly grateful for a husband who has stood by me during every moment of this journey. I am also grateful for having a circle of real life friends and cyber friends who have given me support and encouragement along the way.

 

[Autumnovember]

If you would have asked me in June if I thought my dad would make it to Thanksgiving, I would have said no. Dad has had leukemia since 2006 and in June it took a turn for the worst. Watching him suffer and seeing fear in his eyes (something I've never ever seen in his eyes) was the most heartbreaking thing I have ever been through. Today is Thanksgiving and my dad has been through a ton of blood transfusions, months of chemo, and additionally diagnosed with some other diseases. We're battling all of them. He is in high spirits and doing better because we conquered one of the problems. His test results have been good. I'm thankful that he is doing better.

I'm thankful for my family in general, without them I'd be nothing.

I'm thankful for my fiance and my best friend, they keep me grounded.

 

[Ellen]

Welll, it is so good to hear from all of you, though some news is not so good.... I want to respond at length without rushing, so I will wait until tonight or else tomorrow AM. Getting ready to get the rest of dinner made before I go get my mom. So I will just say, until then.


p.s. Hudson, what a darling lil dude!!

 

[TravelingGal]

Hey Ellen!

Well how'z about I'm thankful you found what ya found?

I'm thankful for too many things in my own life. So I guess I can say I'm thankful for that.

P.S. I did talk to God the other day...He gave me an OK on the jewelry fixation...just said I couldn't take it with me...phew.

 

[Skippy123]

Hi Ellen!!! I am glad things are going great with you. I like what you are thankful for; I agree he has gotten me through some great and not so great times.

I actually have a lot to be thankful for; I think sometimes when you have some bad times it makes you appreciate the good and the good things around you even more.

I am thankful that I love and am loved. I have my health and my family is pretty healthy.

Thanks for this thread and Happy Thanksgiving!!!

 

[Kaleigh]

Ellen,
SOOOOOO glad to see you, and very happy all is well for you.

I am thankful for my family and friends. Thankful Casper my doggie is still with us. Just thankful I don't have ALS as was suspected. I can deal with what I have, but ALS I don't think I would be strong enough for that...

Happy Thanksgiving to all.....

 

[VRBeauty]

Ellen and Kaleigh - I'm thankful for the wonderful medical news you've both posted here. Enjoy your T-days and the holiday season!

 

[Gailey]

What am I thankful for?

So many things that I am sure are common to many of us. But one or two specifics today.

I am truly thankful for the PS members that have become part of my life and have enriched it beyond measure - y'all know who you are.

And I am especially thankful that an e-mail address dropped into my message box today that I have long sought.

God bless all.




Oh, one last thing.

ELLEN, IT IS SO WONDERFUL TO SEE YOU!!!!!!!!

 

[Imdanny]

It's funny, I care about all of you (yes all, even the ones who haven't been so nice in the past, and are probably thinking not so nice things about me now) , even though I've never met most of you.

What a nice thing to say. Happy Thanksgiving and welcome back, Ellen.

 

[Ellen]

Sorry I'm a tad late, I decided to venture out into the madness. I don't normally shop on this day, but I'm glad I went, got a couple great bargains.



Miss Zoe, thanks. So good to hear from you! Hope life has been treating you well.


VR, I am so glad to hear your nephew should be ok! And what a lovely and insightful post. I particularly liked your last thought. I'm thankful you do too, as we see so much of the other these days. Sad.... Good to hear from you.


Why Miss Steal, that's not true. I know you must know sumfin about sumfin. Chickens, perhaps? (how's that going anyway?) And thank you miss!



Hudson, what a sweetie! How old is he? And good to hear from you!



gemgirl, goodness sweetie, you have been through the ringer. Could I make a suggestion, and feel absolutely free to ignore. I would find the absolute best, super duperist, qualified beyond qualified specialist, and get a second opinion before you remove this precious body part (or part of the part). Once it's gone, there's no going back. Yanno? Second opinions are always good, but in this case, it's crucial imho. Ok, I've now sounded like your mother long enough, I'll quit. (it's just cuz I care though)

And I will certainly add you to my prayer list miss.

Thanks for missing me.



An, I'm so glad your dad is still here (to enjoy) too! I hope he continues to improve. Please do treasure your time with him. I lost my dad 9 years ago last week, and I still really miss him.



Tgal, thank you mam! Always good to hear from you. btw, did you ever get your mom a piece of jewelry for her bday?



Miss Skippy, aka Mary Sunshine. So good to hear from you lady! And yes, bad times can definitely accentuate the positive. Hope you had a great day.



Hey Lisa, really good to see you too! I will send you an email later if that's ok?



Gailey, goodness, thank you for that very warm (and very pink) welcome! I feel wuved.

You have added much to PS yourself miss, don't sell yourself short.

And thanks again you.



Danny, that's what a real heart change looks like. It's easy to say things like that (and mean it). And thank you for welcoming me back. Not sure I'll be posting much, but it's nice of you just the same!

 

[jas]

Hi! Nice to see you!!!!

Edited b/c I forgot to add that I try to be consistently appreciative. Everything, good and bad, has gotten me to this moment in my life. As the other thread says, better than the alternative!

 

[Ellen]

Thanks jas, it's really good to see you (and your grinch eating dog) too!

 

[diamondringlover]

A little late, but I thankful for my family and I thankful that we both still have our jobs and are able to provide for our family

 

[PinkTower]

Hello, Ellen,

I enjoyed your post.
I want to add that I am thankful for my family, and their health.
I am thankful for my job, and that I am well, and that I can get up and put my clothes on and have the freedom to go to work every day.
And, I am thankful for my pets. They give me great joy.
Hope to see you posting again soon.

 

[monarch64]

My life is everything I want it to be, you know why? Because I am in control of my life, my actions,my thoughts, my feelings.

I have a wonderful man. He is in my life because I wanted him here. I found him and specifically wanted him to be part of my existence.

I have lots of wonderful others in my life...my parents (that wasn't a choice or a godsend), my niece, my brother and SIL, my dog...my heart and mind fill with love every time I think about any of them or see any of them.

I've been thankful for all of them and everything good in my life every single day since about 2.5 years ago. I grew up having everything handed to me but ended up having to make do without much the past few years, and wow. It made me appreciate people, not money/material wealth. it made me appreciate love, and I have that now and it is astounding.

 

[Catmom]

Hi Miss Ellen, it's wonderful to hear from you again! I hope you do post more often as I always enjoyed your posts. I'm very thankful for my life. Things could have gone in a very different direction. I'm very thankful for my wonderful hubby and my kids and for my friends that have supported me. I'm especially thankful right now for the job my son just got. He starts on Monday and he has been looking for one for over a year. I am facing some health issues right now but outside of that I am content. My life is good.

 

[Dancing Fire]

Ellen

thankful for seeing you post again...

 

[Arkteia]

Ellen, you have been missed. I am thankful for your life changing experience.

It's funny that I'm in a position that I never thought I'd be in. As half of a couple who usually emails "attitude of gratitude" messages to our marriage ministry throughout November, I've been having a hard time this week with gratitude. I'm trying to turn it around and I'm almost there. Just not quite *there* yet.

In April I found out that I had a large number of precancerous polyps in my colon. In June I almost bled to death and was on the critical list because of the surgeon's negligence. I was given a chance to rebound from that and in September I went back to begin the process of having more polyps removed. That surgeon said (shockingly) that he didn't see anything worth taking out and I should come back in three yrs. (Totally nuts) Last Friday I had my fifth colonoscopy in seven months and the specialist who was supposed to remove my remaining polyps- didn't, because I have many more than we thought and attempting to remove them all could possibly cost me my life. He told me I have a polyposis syndrome that will keep manufacturing these pre-c polyps. So we're waiting to see him again next Thursday when the pathology reports come back to discuss removing either 2/3 -or- all of my colon. He said I was "lucky" that they found them now before anything turned into cancer, that I was "ahead of the curve" and being given the chance to get rid of this threat and live a normal life.

I am grateful that I've made it through this year. I am also grateful that I don't have cancer. At least that's his opinion with the advanced technology he used. I'm having a hard time thinking of how different I will be and my life might be without a necessary body part. I'm still struggling with that. So I guess I'm stranded between gratitude and I can't believe this is happening to me. I am however, overwhelmingly grateful for a husband who has stood by me during every moment of this journey. I am also grateful for having a circle of real life friends and cyber friends who have given me support and encouragement along the way.

I am glad that it was not cancer. It is the best of news, and I wish you strength to face the surgery, in case you need it. I hope you know if it is Gardner syndrome or not. It seems that you have a good doctor now, and I am glad that he had wisdom to continue with the colonoscopies and, in fact, catch it in time. It must have been a horrible ordeal for you, emotionally and physically. I do not pray the formal way, but I shall ask for things to turn out the best way for you when I say my prayers.

 

[Arkteia]

For myself - I am thankful for everything good that has happened in my life, that it happened in the right time, and everything that I am having now. Most of all, for the kindness of people that I have met, I do not believe anyone has acted with intentional malice towards me. And if anyone has, it was due to his/hers own unhappiness. I am also thankful that God has helped me go through a severe, chronic and serious illness and become what I am now. My father is alive, and I am thankful for it, too. I just hope God helps me battle another issue that I think is becoming problematic, that I shall find a way to deal with it.

 

[Ellen]

drlover, jobs (as in having one) are huge nowadays. Something to indeed be thankful for... Thanks for sharing!


Pink Tower, thank you. You mentioned the freedom to get up and go to work every day. Most people would never think of that, much less be thankful for it. And yet, it's a biggy in reality. Good to see you!




Hey Miss Monarch, good to see you! I loved your post, you are getting it. "things" will never make one happy, nor are they truly important (except the basics). I'm SO glad you have found someone who makes you happy and that you are in a good place. Yay!

And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love.





Michelle, good to see you! *waves wildly* You seem to have much to be thankful for. And I would be thankful for that crazy bling buying hubby of yours too! Seriously though, I'm thrilled your son got a job! I have one looking too, and it is SLIM pickings. I pray your health issues resolve themselves. {{{hugs}}}



Aw, thank you DF!

Say, has anyone been keeping you in check?? *raises eyebrow*




crasru, I am sorry you are having health issues. But grateful also you have your dad. Enjoy him!

I pray the Lord will help you with whatever you may be dealing with in the future.




I'm thankful for each of you who have responded in here. With each post, you restore my faith in humanity just a bit. This world is such a mess, and most people are so wrapped up in themselves, and totally immaterial, unimportant, trivial, and unhealthy stuff. It's good to see some people recognize and acknowledge real blessings in their life.


May we all recognize who issues those blessings.



What a great day you've all made this! *group hug**

 

[Irishgrrrl]

El, I'm so glad to see you!

And I'm so glad you've had your recent discovery . . . I feel just as you do on that issue, and that's all I'm gonna say about that!

The thing I'm most thankful for is my DH. Don't know what I'd do without him; he's the love of my life!

 

[luv2sparkle]

Ellen, it is good to see you post again! I have missed you. I am walking that same narrow road as you and thankful to be doing so.

I have much to be thankful for: a husband who has loved me with his whole heart for thirty years, 5 great kids who have met
challenges handed to them with grace. DH has a job, son is doing good in rehab, daughter who has left a crazy husband. Sometimes
it is more than I can handle but it is really all about perspective. There is good amidst the difficult and blessings to be found.

 

[geckodani]

Turkey.

 

[geckodani]

Seriously though, I'm thankful for my family and friends. For a year that saw my DH passing the Bar Exam and getting a job. For the life I've been given.





And turkey. Because, well, because it's turkey.

 

[dragonfly411]

I have had a really hard time with this this year. This is by and far the worst year I've experienced in my life. I wish I could say I'm thankful for a great many things, but many of the things I once was thankful for have gone sour.

I'm thankful to have decent health - but I'm not living it up right now to take advantage of that.

I'm thankful my family is here - but lately all they do is side against me, push me towards things I don't want, and find things wrong with what I do.

I'm thankful for my best girlfriend and really want to be able to see her more. I wish I could say that about many many friends, but so many of them have proven that they aren't worth trusting in. Perhaps I just have trust issues.

I'm thankful for recent so, but I have such a hard time looking back on our good things because I'm afraid of the future. I'm afraid of not working things out with him and never having those wonderful memories again. I wasn't half the person I am today before him and I feel like I'll be a shell of myself if he goes away.

I guess I can say I'm truly thankful that I have access to fresh water, a roof over my head, food, and clothes. I have a job. I have two dogs who love me unconditionally, and a kitten who makes me laugh. I have shoes on my feet, and somewhere to bathe regularly. I have working transportation. I have you guys who I can read about the good things that happen to you and be happy that you have such great things going on, or that I can do my best to send good energy in your times of need, and perhaps be helpful when I talk to you. That is nice to know.

Ellen it was fantastic seeing you, I do hope you'll post more.