Thanksgiving (from Mat)

A few nights ago we watched "Biggest Loser" and the contestants were facing going home without trainers, doctors and all the support they had at the show's ranch.  As one of their trainers asked them about it they all gave great upbeat answers about how they were excited to implement what they had learned, about how their lives were changed and that they weren't going to backslide.  Then the trainer said "That's exactly what I would want to hear, but..."  He questioned them about fears of going home and their emotions began to come out.  Would they really be able to sustain the changes when the majority of their life had been the other way?  Would the home environment hinder their progress, or be difficult to change? They weren't so sure.

It's interesting with this adversity surrounding us at Thanksgiving how I could relate to those people.  I love this holiday and tend to think it one of the most important of the year.  I am certain that cultivating gratitude and expressing it to God is a sure way to happiness.  But of course my focus today has been on the upcoming surgery and the care of Kim and the kids afterwards.  We didn't make our usual effort at considering blessings we enjoy.  I'm happy to report though that we didn't slip into bitterness considering the adversity either.  Kim and I are striving to keep things normal, especially for the kids and I think we succeeded today.   The three older kids and I enjoyed a bike ride while Kim and the baby napped.  Later on we gained strength from visits with both our families, who all made their support clearly evident.  Are we feeling gratitude this day?  More than we can express.  Are we scared?   You betcha, don't let me fool you.  There is alot of uncertainty for me now about how hard recovery will be for Kim, and about caring for her along with the kids, especially the baby.  How will I sustain work, especially with the musical starting?  I hope to be preparing myself for that in the next few days. But let me finally make my gratitude list today by saying that I am grateful for strength from God, family, for Kim's inner resolve, and for all of you friends and neighbors who support her.