Thankful

I'm thankful that no one's in the hospital.

I'm thankful that the hospitals were there when we needed them.

I'm thankful that I have the energy and ability to cook for my family today.

I'm thankful that I have a family for whom to cook today.

I'm thankful that my body now "functions" as it's supposed to ... if you know what I mean ... and I think you do.

I'm thankful that we have a dishwasher, and it isn't me.

I'm thankful for the opportunities I've been given this year to serve others.

I'm thankful for the turkey and dressing I'll eat today.

I'm thankful that three of my grandparents are still living, and thankful for the time I was given to know the one I've lost.

I'm thankful for music, and for ears to hear it.

I'm thankful for my big bed and warm flannel sheets.

I'm thankful for the cold weather; I love it best.

I'm thankful that it is now officially Christmas music time.

I'm thankful that I can dream, and then make it come true.

I'm thankful for my new computer.

I'm thankful for my church family.

I'm thankful for the friends I've made because of the Internet.

I'm thankful for fabulous shoes.

I'm thankful for good Christian parents.

I'm thankful that my little sister still thinks I'm awesome, even if she is a teenager now.

I'm thankful for the family I will see today, and the family too far away to see.

I'm thankful for the future in front of me, and the past I leave behind.


(If you didn't see that one coming, Grobies, I am very very disappointed in you.)

Time to go around the table: what are YOU thankful for?

Whose bright idea was this?

I'll be honest: I sit at home all day and watch a lot of TV. A LOT of TV. I am coming to feel like Rachael Ray is a personal friend of mine. As I watch all this TV I've seen this commercial a few times, and it really just burns me up.



I know the intent was most likely just to raise awareness of Crohn's, what it is, how it affects you, but I have to say that commercial really depresses the crap out of me. As someone dealing with a recent diagnosis, that is the most discouraging thing I have seen or heard. Everyone who has Crohn's is affected differently; so, for instance, someone else may have to avoid a food that I can eat with no problems. Since I don't yet know how my unique case is going to play out in my normal everyday life - since I'm not currently living my normal everyday life - hearing all the things those people say in the commercial brings me way, way down. If I'd written this, that certainly is not the message I would want to convey.

And you know what? I'm not going to turn into one of those people. The medicine I'm currently taking, I get via IV infusion about every eight weeks - no dealing with "so many pills." I refuse to hide at home because it's too much of a hassle to plan "every detail" of going out, or because I'm afraid. The pain - yeah, it's bad - but I will deal with the pain when it comes, and learn how to avoid it next time. And BY GOD, nothing short of death would cause me to miss my best friend's wedding - this disease certainly won't do it. Living like those people describe, that's not living. I'm going to live. I'm going to do everything I ever wanted to do, and Crohn's disease is the very last thing I'm going to let stand in my way.