Really? In all things? Even Parkinson's? Even loosing your physical abilities? Even needing help with tasks that used to be so easy to do on your own? Even having to find a new way to paint? Even giving up driving? Give thanks? That is just crazy.
Really? In all things? Even taking on ALL household tasks? Even having to move to accommodate new needs? Even having to learn about fixing things? Even taking on all schedules? Really? Give thanks?
Well the answer is yes to all that; perhaps radical gratitude sounds foreign, but it is truly an opportunity.
Today is Thanksgiving Day, that one day a year when we, here in the US, are expected to be grateful. In the midst of adjusting to Parkinson's disease, it is a wonder that we can sometimes find the thread of a gift. When life can seem discouraging, disappointing, and a tad too challenging, digging deep for something to be grateful for sounds preposterous. For those who aren't accustomed to giving thanks in all things, this may seem completely unreasonable.
Cultivating a thankful heart has deepened our lives. There really are tangible, concrete benefits. Each day is a choice. We can live in bitterness in having to walk this path because on the surface being grateful in our situation is not reasonable. But we can choose to enhance that seed of hope. Being grateful, we can move past those moments, days, and challenges that become waves of adversity crashing over us. Choosing to give thanks is healthy for both Russ and myself.
We have been practicing gratitude this month. Actually, we have done that for all of our 40 years of marriage, but this month we are actually writing it down. On this Thanksgiving Day here is a sampling of our choice to wake each day and to choose to give thanks in all things.
Linda: our home is ADA and 'available' to Russ.
Russ: I am not in pain
Linda: no early morning obligations today
Russ: the nice meals, so good
Linda: working at a church has given me a 'reality' of life
Russ: saw John and Gus (dog) this morning
Linda: for health insurance
Russ: for Laura Leigh (PT) and how she handled me today.
Linda: kindness from Dr. Lake's office (chiropractor), no first visit fee
Russ: Dr. Lake, great first appointment
Linda: for Russ' perseverance with exercises
Russ: beginning to understand what is 'helpful' in doing exercises
Linda: given the endless TV advertisements... I love our mattress
Russ: a great picnic spot at Navajo Reservoir
Linda: great team effort with Carol, Christine and Russell going to exercise class
Russ: that Christine is pleased with Linda's organization
Linda: Russ' ultimate patience when I come home with a work problem
Russ: pleased to have planned out another painting
Linda: Chris G. and her kind heart, steady thinking and 4th Corner support.
Russ: for Darren's insight, concern and depth of thinking
Linda: the ease of using our ADA van and also for Christine and her help with Russ and the house
Russ: enjoyed the Thanksgiving Eve worship message. "Glad I went." (that's Russ' comment, not the title of the message!)
Peace, Love, Joy and Hope, all reflections on things we can be grateful for.