Happy Thanksgiving!

Happy Thanksgiving. Most especially to Bill Bettyas who has been responsible for my blog from day one of my illness. It was his creation and along with his son, Jason implemented and then maintained it up to this day. As of this insert Bill relinquishes the reins to my daughter Tara. Bill, I will always be thankful to you for your kindness. God bless you and yours.

To all who have helped sustain my life I say thank you. To my parents and relatives who provided life and maintained it I say thank you. To my wife, Chloe who I have loved from the moment I first met her, I say thank you for your love. To my children who have now surpassed our love for them in their love for us I say thank you. To my family and friends who I could never have lived without I say thank you. To my enemies I ask their forgiveness and love for my lack of love towards you. God knows my love and failure to love and I ask His continued love for me in my unworthiness.

Today we go to Debi’s and Tim’s home to share in the thanksgiving meal as the torch is passed. Jessie and Mike will join us. Although Jim and Tara will not be there we are pumped up in knowing they will arrive on Christmas day.

I have found a new way of expressing myself, when asked about my cancer. It is “I never have a good day, but I have innumerable magnificent good moments during all those days which makes it all worth while”. God, family and friends have always been at my side both figuratively and actually. I am very blessed.

MILESTONE Mike and Tim took me for a walk within Madera last week. Mike rode my wheelchair to the point I could go no further. It brought a great sense of achievement. I have been consistent on my treed mill each day for 5 10 15 and now 20 minutes. I’m now a little more faithful to my exercises. The pool has been great help.

My grandson had an operation last week on both legs. It looks like a great success. My daughter Tara was overwhelmed about how well everything went. Denver’s new children’s hospital has done everything right inclusive of staffing. I hope they realize how important they are in the lives of others.

I hope that you made the passing of the “big bird” worthwhile. Now prepare for the most spiritual Christmas of your lives. Pray for me.

Dominus vobiscum. Et Cum Spiritutu tuo

We are all beginning to feel the spirit of Thanksgiving creep in upon us. What we have to be thankful for starts once again with life itself. Once it sinks in that you should really be gone, so also does the need to be a thankful person. You start with God Himself and then begin to verbalize the names of those you love who surround you day and night. They treat you as though you were the only one in the world. So many big things supported by so many little things.

As I write these words I have begun to think of the long list of individuals who have made their mark upon me these last three years. Those closest to me have spent the night sleeping with me or sitting next to me, sleepless by my side. The limitless number of tasks performed to maintain my body and spirit. First they fought for my life itself and then struggled to improve the quality of that life. So many prayers in support of the breath you take and strength you attempt to muster in support of movement and breath. Oh! so much to be thankful for. Happy Thanksgiving to you. I owe you all so much.

The treadmill and 'fitness pool' have been so helpful along with the three prunes of am and pm. I go few places today without my electric chair and a grandchild in my lap. The only question is who is having more fun. Having them on board tends to make me more careful. Last week I wrote a fantastic piece for my blog. What a crying shame when I fell asleep and erased the entire entry. Unlike the other stuff I have written, you would have liked it. I no longer fall asleep but pass out. I don't know if I am awake or asleep. Some of you may be asking, so, what else is new???

I had Kris fly to Denver this week to support Tara and Jim. My grandson, Kellan, had operations on both of his legs and spent the night in the hospital. We suspect all went well and await that confirmation in the morning. My heart went pitter-patter when Kellan said on the way to the hospital, "I wish grandpa could have been with us." However, he was excited to know that he would be sleeping in a hospital bed like mine. My son Tim and his wife Debbi, along with grandson, Monty, moved in with me. With Debbi being a Nurse Practitioner, I have the very best of care only surpassed by Kris, who is the Cat's meow. Speaking of the cat, Laura is broken-hearted by Kris not being around. She has no one to fight with in the morning.