I have lots to be thankful for!

With the glutenous holidays right around the corner, I thought I would share my personal list of things that I am thankful for this year:

-I am so thankful for the staff at UCSF that have been so great to Christina during her battle with breast cancer. You are literally life savers!
-I am so thankful that I have a bad ass for a wife. So strong and tough and courageous. She has helped me more than she will ever know. Oh, and she is beautiful on top of that. And funny. And smart. You get the idea, right?:)
-I am thankful for my new job. It's the 1st time in nearly a decade that I have felt like I was part of a winning team. I just returned from the National Sales Meeting and I am excited to kick some butt!!
-Christina and I are thankful for the all of the relatives and friends who have been so supportive over the past ten months during our journey. Being alone sucks but being alone during something like this? I don't want to think about someone having to endure that ever...
-I am thankful for all of the angels in our lives. We are spending this weekend with one of them celebrating life. I expect to smile, laugh and have a hangover.
-I am thankful that our niece has really committed to her first teaching job. The children in her classroom will never forget the time they spent with her.
-I am thankful that Christina gets to avoid radiation. She will be starting a hormone replacement therapy soon and I will update all of you on her progress.
-I am thankful that Christina's strength is returning and that she is once again enjoying her passion of running. Two weeks ago, she ran 45 miles in seven days and felt great!
-I am thankful that pizza. Every damn day of my life!
-I am thankful for all of you that read this blog and have encouraged me to continue. It makes me feel good that you care enough to take the time to read this stupid thing..

Remember that we are all blessed. Have a safe and happy Thanksgiving.

BP

I saw my reflection in the mirror today (at a pizza parlor, actually)

It's funny how things work out in life. When you are feeling down, it is inevitable that you hear about or run into someone in a tougher situation. I think it God's way of setting us straight and telling us that we are not alone in our struggles. We all struggle.

What started out as a lunch date turned into an eye opening and emotional teachable moment. The "moment" came at a pizza joint in Lafayette and not in a church or classroom. It's no secret that Christina and I like food and drink. Our DVR is filled with cooking and food related travel shows. It's who we are and have been as a couple. We feel most comfortable sitting down to a few foodie shows after dinner and then calling it a night. It's appropriate that I saw my reflection while slugging down a slice and a beer.

His name is Randy. My given name is Randolph not Butch. Only teachers called me Randy. We are both in our 50's and we both have spent time behind a bar slinging drinks and making conversation. We are both good at the gift of gab. And, most importantly, we are both caring for our wives who are battling serious diseases. His wife has MS. Mine has breast cancer. Randy felt comfortable enough with us that he opened about the struggles of caring for someone by yourself. We never shared our cancer journey with Randy. It wasn't important. He needed to vent and we were there to listen and affirm that he is doing the Lord's work. It was clear to both of us that Randy's passion is to care for his bride. Mine is the same. I sell glue to bring home money but making sure Christina's coffee is hot and tasty is how I start each day. I end each day laying down with the love of my life. Randy does the same.

Randy was quick to note that he is lucky. "I knew the teenager that was involved in that fatal crash last week. She lost her two friends on a joyride." Even in the midst of physical, emotional and financial chaos, Randy realizes that he is blessed. He gave us a great gift today. He also gave me a glimpse of who I am and what is important in life. I saw my reflection today and liked what I saw. Except for the string of cheese hanging off my mouth. I could have done without that.