A PERSONAL THANKSGIVING MESSAGE

Though this article, written by Marianne Clayter, was written in March, its reading may help all of us count our blessings--and be thankful!
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I work. I volunteer. I have friends and family. I have a cat to care for. I care for myself and others. Does this sound familiar? My days are filled with business and living life. Yet, are my days living life to the fullest? Many people would say, "yes,” “no,” and probably more often, “maybe.”

There have been days, years, where all I could do was get out of bed and stare into space and wonder if this stoic life would ever end, change. There were days, years, when all I could do was put one foot in front of the other like doing the “thorazine shuffle.” “Thorazine,” yes. I am a consumer. Today I have a job. A job I have held the longest of any job. Today I have a place to live for over 15 years. Today I have the love and support of friends and family, and, yes, a cat.

What has brought the brightness to my eyes? The surety to my steps? What has brought health, healing, and recovery? There have been many people, many circumstances, many choices, many medicines, and many therapies. It is I and my God who made a decision, a decision, and a choice, to live life, to live life to its fullest. Some days a little is all I can do. Other days are fuller. So sometimes the answer to the question, “Am I living life to the fullest?” is “no.” Sometimes the answer is “yes.” And, sometimes, yes sometimes, the answer is “maybe.” I am grateful for each day, for everything each day holds, and to my God, and all those whose paths have crossed with mine.

M. Clayter