Happy Thanksgiving Everybody!!!
As many of you know, Thanksgiving is my favorite holiday of the year here in the United States.
Yes, I love gathering with my family and friends. Yes, I love turkey. Yes, I love my mom’s special gravy. Yes, I love pumpkin pie, cranberries, sweet potatoes and all the other, yummy food that will fill my tummy and eventually make me think, “Oh my goodness! Why, oh why, did I eat so much?!!!”
But, for me, the real special ingredient of Thanksgiving is not in the food…
That super special ingredient is the simple, two-word message of the holiday, “Be thankful!”. Not much more needs to be said, right?
However, on this holiday… I would like to say just a bit more.
I want to thank all of you for being part of this growing, caring community. Your stories, thoughts, advice, questions and ongoing support of each other has been extraordinary.
That said, “I’m very thankful for you and for heart valve surgery.” 
As you might imagine, I’m also very, very, very thankful for Robyn (my wife), Ethan (our new baby boy), our families and friends. From all of us to all of you, “Happy Thanksgiving!”
Keep on tickin!
P.S. To leave a comment, please click here.
P.P.S. I just received this wonderful story from my father-in-law, Tony. I found it very appropriate considering it’s Thanksgiving, so I’m passing it along…
One day, the father of a very wealthy family took his son on a trip to the country with the express purpose of showing him how poor people live. They spent a couple of days and nights on the farm of what would be considered a very poor family.
On their return from their trip, the father asked his son, “How was the trip?”
“It was great, Dad.”
“Did you see how poor people live?” the father asked.
“Oh yeah,” said the son.
“So, tell me… What did you learn from the trip?” asked the father.
The son answered:
“I saw that we have one dog and they had four.
We have a pool that reaches to the middle of our garden and they have a creek that has no end.
We have imported lanterns in our garden and they have the stars at night.
Our patio reaches to the front yard and they have the whole horizon.
We have a small piece of land to live on and they have fields that go beyond our sight.
We have servants who serve us, but they serve others.
We buy our food, but they grow theirs.
We have walls around our property to protect us, they have friends to protect them.”
The boy’s father was speechless.
Then his son added, “Thanks Dad for showing me how poor we are.”
Isn’t perspective a wonderful thing? Makes you wonder what would happen if we all gave thanks for everything we have, instead of worrying about what we don’t have.
Appreciate every single thing you have, especially your friends!
Life is too short and friends are too few.
- Previous: After “Waiting Too Long”, David Has Heart Valve Surgery Before Aneurysm Ruptures
- Next: “How Common Is Heart Valve Disease Among Seniors?” Asks Heidi
Email Friend
Leave Comment
Print
Subscribe
November 25th, 2009 at 2:29 pm
May you Robyn and Ethan have a very Happy Thanksgiving as well!
November 25th, 2009 at 3:05 pm
Happy Thanksgiving to your family!
I bet you are also on their list of things to be thankful every year…and trust me you are on my list as well!
Your book has helped not only me but my family through what was an unexpected, somewhat emergency situation, that none of us were prepared for but terrified to experience.
It was four months ago yesterday that I had my aortic valve replaced and some repair work done and while i have been extra sore this week and a bit tight breathwise, I’m looking and doing so much better…and am off to my first cardio visit on Friday…
At 46, and the mom of three boys, I needed to just get things done and recover and thanks to you I’ve been able to do that, both mentally and emotionally….I’d like to take some credit for the physical stuff!
So thank you again, and enjoy your family time!
debbie
November 25th, 2009 at 6:44 pm
Happy Thanksgiving! Loved the PPS.
Paul
March, 2009 recipient of an Edwards Magna Thermafix 3000 bovine pericardial tissue aortic valve.
November 25th, 2009 at 10:52 pm
James,
I am thankful that your wife has had a successful aortic valve relacement, had been in cardiac rehab, and has a caring, proud husband- you. Thank- you for sharing about that in this forum. As I wait for my own mitral valve surgery (hopefully repair) in a few weeks, it helps me to hear success stories like your wife’s.
I am casting my free vote and voice to express my wish that we stick to valve surgery -and not use this forum to engage in any religious or political discussions.
I am very grateful for all I have learned, and all I will in the future from my compatriots who are waiting with me, and who have been throught it. Thanks- you all for sharing.
Meigs
November 26th, 2009 at 2:48 am
Happy Thanksgiving to you and your family. I’d also like to give you a big Thank You for the forum you’ve created for us! It’s been a God send for us that are scared, have questions, and are looking for direction on what we suffer in our “hearts”.
November 27th, 2009 at 9:47 am
Happy Thanksgiving, and greetings from the land of the pilgrims in MA. It has been seven months since my aortic valve surgery and I am swimming four days a week. We arrived on Tuesday and on Wednesday AM I was swimming here at a local YMCA. We are visiting our daughter in Lexington, and we are joined by a CA granddaughter who is at college in the area. Please thank Tony for his story. I always enjoy hearing about Robyn and Ethan. Keep the pictures coming, we enjoy seeing him grow up.
November 27th, 2009 at 3:01 pm
Thanksgiving blessings to you & your family Adam. I LOVE Thanksgiving as well & yes, this year my family & I have the extra blessing of my 100% repaired heart. I think it is true that recovery really does take longer than we think. I thought I was good to go to hold the annual group of about 15 & do the full on dinner. It was fun, but I was exhausted!!! Ages 5 mos. to 79 yrs & my guide dog puppy I’m raising… my son’s new dog ….. With lots of husband help we pulled it off … I did realize I’m not fully recovered at 9 mos. post op. :{ But thanks to your book & this blog I know that’s all it is & to keep the chin up
Loved the picture of Ethan. And the PPS as well. I’ve seen it before & it is always a good reminder of “perspective”
Be well, be happy & a special Thanksgiving greeting to all of you here on the blog who share ideas, hope & support year round!!!