Thanksgiving

 

The “First Thanksgiving" – as we call it in America – was celebrated by the Pilgrims to thank God for guiding them safely to the New World. This celebration was said to have lasted three days – providing food for 13 pilgrims and 90 Native Americans.  We don’t really know if turkey was actually served…it’s believed that the feast consisted of fish, wild fowl (duck, geese, venison…possibly turkey), berries, fruit, corn, squash, pumpkin, barley and wheat. Isn’t it remarkable that the menu was very similar to today’s traditional faire? But enough with the history lesson.

Thanksgiving is a day of togetherness – family, friends and acquaintances join hands to celebrate shared love and kindness. Of course it’s about “eating too much,” but it’s much deeper than that. It’s about giving thanks, being grateful for all that we have, all that we are and all that we experience.

Last summer, my sisters and I met two young gals (ages 16 and 26) at a California hotel’s swimming pool. They were both beautiful! The elder of the two, Alexandra, had an infectious smile and no hair. Naturally, we started chatting and learned Alexandra had stage 4 brain cancer. Alexandra lived locally, but brought her sister to the hotel for an overnight stay to spend “one-on-one” time with her. They also have a 12-year-old sister – she too has cancer.

Can you imagine having 3 daughters – two with cancer, one of which didn’t have much time left with us?

We so enjoyed their company that we invited them to spend the day in our cabana with us. We reminded them to reapply sunscreen, and Alexandra joked, “Why what will happen – do you think I’ll get cancer?” They were reluctant to accept our lunch offer at first, but you simply don’t win a debate with my sisters and me. So, we shared the afternoon together with non-stop laughter.

The girls also joined us for dinner in the VIP lounge and I continued to learn more about Alexandra. Her father couldn’t cope with the stress of the cancer so he left. She had been fighting this disease for about 9 months – she received chemo in Houston, Texas and she told us with pride that her face adorned all the Cancer Center billboards throughout the state. That didn’t surprise me – she was as beautiful inside as she was outside and so positive on top of it all.

Alexandra is home now – she was in ICU for a month and these are her final days.   I’ve spoken to her many times. I knew my role for my two days with her in California and I wasn’t going to let one dismal moment pass. Since she kept telling me I should be a stand-up comic, I was going to make sure Alexandra laughed and talked about her future – I even taught her how to flirt!

My husband and I returned from our recent trip on Thursday to a simple email from Alexandra, “I just wanted to say hi and I miss you and love you!”

I love you, too, Alexandra. In just two short days, I fell in love with this brave young woman. 

Knowing Alexandra has changed my life forever – she is simply amazing. Absolutely incredible! I feel so blessed that God invited me into her life and for that, I shall be eternally grateful.

Thanksgiving is a time to give thanks – for our blessings and even for those times in life that make us sad. For without sadness in our lives, we haven’t experienced the joy of love and caring.

So this Thanksgiving, please make sure you tell everyone you love how thankful you are to have them in your life. You can rest assured I will.

Happy Thanksgiving to all of you, I am most thankful for your friendship!