Next week is Thanksgiving and I have been thinking what I am thankful for. I am thankful for my children, grandchildren, significant other, sister, nieces, nephews and all other family members near and far. I am thankful for my health and mostly sound mind. I am thankful for my home, the food on my table and the other comforts of daily life which I have been blessed to come by easily, not like many people nowadays. I am thankful for my friends, some of which I have been blessed with since childhood and others that have come and gone briefly in my life showing support and friendship as it was needed during different phases of my life.
As for my daughter Denise, I am not thankful she got a brain tumor and passed away, but I am thankful I was blessed with her in my life. I am thankful for all the wonderful memories I have of her. How she loved her Reeses Peanut Butter cups and anything else chocolate. How she would order a sandwich in a restaurant, dissect it removing excess meat or anything else she didn't like in it. How she would order a chocolate milkshake for breakfast. How she always bought her jeans too small and would leave them unbuttoned until she went out, but would never admit she needed a bigger size. How she bought lottery tickets and would forget to check them for months. How she always had a way of making me laugh no matter what the situation. Not a day goes by without a memory of her.
I was recently told a story about Denise at her sons football game, she was at every one. She was watching him play and cheering him on from the stands. On one particular play when he stopped an opponent and his team scored Denise was jumping up and down and yelling, "Home run, Home run". Not long after that game he bought her a book called "Football for Dummies". I am thankful for memories shared by others.
I am thankful for having the ability to establish the Denise's People Foundation and to be able to raise awareness and funds to hopefully bring about the end of Brain Cancer. I am thankful for all the people who help or support this cause. I am thankful for all the survivors or people with tumors and their families that I have had the honor to meet. I am thankful to the special doctors and other people I have met in the medical field who are doing everything they can to assist me in my endeavor. Mostly I am thankful for my daughter Denise for without her inspiration this foundation would not have been created.
God gives us each a gift of life to cherish from our birth. He gives us friends and those we love to share our days on earth. He watches us with loving care and takes us by the hand. He blesses us with countless joys and guides the lives we've planned.
Then when our work on earth is done, He calls us to His side. To live with Him in happiness where peace and love abide.
Our thoughts are ever with you though you have passed away. And those who love you dearly are thinking of you today.
Happy Thanksgiving everyone!
