When one goes through any type of suffering, choices must be made.

We choose either to walk a journey of self absorption or to walk a journey of thankfulness.

On the first mile of running yesterday, I realized my mind was consumed with thoughts of bitterness, anger and questions of why. I literally stopped in my tracks.

And shouted out loud, “No!,  I will not continue to let these thoughts consume me. I choose to be thankful.” As tears came, I screamed it louder, “I CHOOSE TO BE THANKFUL.”

Here are just a few reasons, of myriad, I’m thankful:

1.) For President Obama. And for federal insurance that covers pre-existing conditions.
2.) For great doctors. Drs. Martin Molina, Chad Long, Andy Hawthorne, Brian Shimkus, and Mikala Rush.
3.) For Viktoria Samuel, the caring financial consultant at our oncologist, who while battling cancer herself, helped us find insurance when it seemed there was none to be found.
4.) For family that have shown concern and love. For Mom & Dad and my sis Cheryl, my brother Terry, my sister-in-law Amy, and for Gina’s Dad and son Brian.
5.) For true friends that have been constant.
JR & Niki Taylor
Ben & Melissa Greene
Cindy Hoppes
Daniel White
George & Kathy King (who are in their own battle for life.)
Mark Jaffrey
Steven & Gaby Benson
Matt, Eva & Ally Venegas (our next door neighbors)
Agatha Nolan
Ramy & Tiffany Antoun
Nathan & Ashley Johns
Vince Marotte
Karen Wachtel
Paul Matta
Donna Ciccarelli
The #recreate13 tribe
and always in a list like this, you forget someone. My sincere apologies if I have.
6.) For social networks. The outpouring of support on Twitter and Facebook has been amazing and very, very encouraging. As Gina has undergone countless procedures, exams and doctors appointments, during an emotional roller coaster of life and death diagnoses, reading your comments, tweets and likes has been the lone bright spot during many of the past twelve days.
7.) For a caring and highly trained therapist, who has helped impart the strength and guidance needed to survive a catastrophic two years.
8.) For a simple but peaceful home in which to live and call our own.
9.) For my late granny Katherine’s soft, warm and beautiful handmade quilt that has comforted and covered Gina these past two weeks. There is just something magical and healing about handmade quilts. We have literally felt the personality and muse of my grandmother who was one of the most feisty, fun and alive persons I’ve ever known.
10.) For collaboration. To watch five doctors seamlessly and selflessly work together to determine Gina’s health problem has been encouraging and educational. I have “preached” collaboration all my life, but to watch it in action when life is on the line, gives entirely new meaning.

I’m thankful.

Question: What are YOU thankful for today?