Thanksgiving Inventory

Living with MS can be frustrating, grueling and depressing. Having said that, there is more good than bad in my life, and I thought it appropriate during this traditional time of the year to recognize and give thanks to everything that is good in my life, and keeps me going.

I am thankful for my family, who loves me, supports me, has never thought of me as damaged goods or anything less than I have ever been. The same applies to my friends, from Maine to Southern California, from Florida to Washington, and all points in between. Thank you all.

I am thankful for my colleagues at work, who are an extended family and have never treated me with pity, or expect anything less from me than they would expect from themselves.

I am thankful that I can still work full time be productive, and provide financial support for my family.

I am thankful that I can still walk, exercise, drive, get around (albeit with some difficulty) and lead a mostly normal life.

I am really, REALLY, thankful that I don’t live with pain.

I am thankful for my neurologist, who has limited my progression and kept it at a glacier-like pace.

I am thankful for modern medicine.

I am thankful that I am not afraid of needles.

I am thankful the sight of blood doesn’t freak me out.

I am thankful for those of you who read and follow this blog, for your comments, encouragement, and friendship.

I am thankful for all of you who have read my manuscript and helped me get it to the point where (hopefully) 2018 may be the year it gets published.

I am thankful that my parents, who have been gone for two years and whom I miss dearly, both lived to a ripe, old age and were able to see my son grow into his late teens. I am grateful for everything they taught me. I am thankful that they did not lose their mental or physical sharpness like a lot of people their age, and that they did not linger or suffer.

I am thankful for seeing the Red Sox win not only one, but three world series championships during my lifetime.

I am thankful for being on this side of the dirt.

Happy Thanksgiving everybody. I hope you all have a happy, healthy and joyous holiday season.

Author: Steve Markesich

I am loving husband, a doting father, a Red Sox fanatic, an aspiring novelist and MS advocate. Feel free to check out my stevemarkesich.com web site. View all posts by Steve Markesich