As we fast approach Thanksgiving and the one year anniversary of Everett's diagnosis, I want to take a minute to give thanks. The past year has been the most difficult time of our lives. We spent much of it apart, watching the doctors pump Everett's body full of poisons, helpless to do anything but pray for God to protect and heal him, and to give us the strength to get through to the other side. It would have been easy to get lost in the struggles and fear, and to lose sight of the blessings all around us, but every day we witnessed a miracle, some small, some huge, and they reminded us that even in our darkest moments, there is so much to be thankful for.
Below is an abbreviated list of the things I am most thankful for:
1. Our two incredible children - From the moment I knew they existed, I loved them, and I have thanked God every day for letting me be their mom. Hearing the words, "Everett has leukemia", brought a fear into my soul that only another parent who has heard those words can understand. Words cannot express the gratitude I feel a year later, knowing that Everett is cancer free, and that he and his brother are happy, healthy little boys, who have been virtually untouched by all that cancer brought into our lives.
2. My wonderful husband - John has been my rock for the 5 years we have been married. I didn't think I could possibly love him more, but cancer changed that too. Marriages come crashing down in the halls of 9B-the Children's Hematology/Oncology floor. The stress of having a child with cancer takes it's toll, and families are torn apart. But somehow our marriage has weathered the storm, and we have becomes stronger. I could not have gotten through the past year without John beside me, and I am so grateful to have him as my partner in life.
3. Our amazing family and friends - It's true that you find out who your real friends are when things get hard. They are the ones who are right there beside you, nomatter how bad it gets. John and I have been blessed with more friends than we ever knew we had, as well as a family that has been there for us over the past year, supporting us through it all. What a blessing you have all been during an extremely difficult time.
4. Our jobs - They provide for our family and allow us to be there for Everett's treatments and clinic visits. This has been huge for us in the past year. We know moms/dads that have had to quit working so they could be there for their child's treatments, and we have seen children whose parents could not be there at all because they could not afford to be out of work. John and I were lucky enough to have jobs and bosses who were flexible, and we were both able to keep working AND be there for Everett's treatments.
5. Megan - When Everett was diagnosed, we had to pull the boys out of daycare. We had only been back in Oil City for 2 months at that point and we had no idea who to ask to watch the boys, or who we could trust to handle Everett's special situation. Then we found Megan. The boys love her, and it is obvious that she loves them right back. I hate that I have to leave them everyday to go to work, but knowing they are safe in Megan's care makes it so much easier.
6. Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh and the amazing doctors and nurses who work there - They saved Everett's life and for that I am eternally grateful.
Our God is so good. He is there with us, everyday, walking with us, carrying us when we can't go on alone, providing us with everything we need, if we only ask. He has blessed our family over and over again. Everything on my list, I owe to Him.
What are you thankful for?
