A part of my life, especially since I was diagnosed with Charcot-Marie-Tooth (CMT) has been to be thankful. It’s been a deliberate focus that makes me think about the aspects of my life for which I am grateful. In the early days of the diagnosis, I had a hard time being thankful, especially in light of being diagnosed with a rare, non-curable disease.
I am thankful for God and His Love for me. It is a great comfort to me to know God loves me and is in control of my life. God has forgiven me of my sins and wrongs, giving me eternal life with Him. I am extremely thankful. If you would like to learn more, please visit To Know God.
God guided my steps in life to various medical and holistic professionals who have helped me feel better and have a better quality of life. I would probably feel more of the effects of the disease, if not all of it, head-on if it weren’t for these groups of people.
There are more than a bazillion times that I have been thankful for God’s Love for me and helping me in my lifetime battle with CMT. I would not have been able to make it this far without His Help.
Life is a gift; be thankful. Every morning, I am grateful to see my beautiful wife, cat, dog, and the sun shining. I am grateful to be alive and to go about my day doing what I love.
I might not be able to enjoy every single activity that my heart desires because of CMT, however, I can enjoy many of them, such as traveling, so I get out there and do it. And, sometimes I live vicariously through other’s experiences.
I am very thankful for my wife. My life would probably be considerably more boring if I hadn’t married her. We recently celebrated twenty-eight years of marriage. In that time, we’ve had life’s challenges, traveled the world, worked through our health challenges, and our parents’ illnesses and passings.
I dare say that if it wasn’t for my wife, I may not be as healthy as I am. She has encouraged me when I was discouraged. She’s made suggestions for doctors or treatments or to try something another way that might work better.
I am thankful for my “grandson.” A few years ago, a young man cared for my animals while I traveled. When he came by to be paid, we spent nearly four hours talking. We found we have quite a bit in common. He nicknamed me “Grandpa” because of our age difference. We get together once a month or so to catch up on everything! Usually, we get together and can’t stop talking, so we’ll be there for three or four hours that will easily seem like only thirty minutes.
I am thankful for my two best friends. In college, I made friends with two guys I will never forget- try as I might. They became my best friends and helped me considerably with the diagnosis of CMT. God put them into my life for that reason.
A few years ago, I caught up with Ed after his wife had passed away. I attended the celebration of life. Afterwards, I told him he was welcome to come visit and get some rest after losing his best friend/wife. He took me up on it, and I am thankful he did. We reconnected like we just saw each other last year.
Last December, I was surprised by Tony who was coming to Washington D.C. on a work project. After thirty-two years, we spent three hours chatting at a Cracker Barrel. It was priceless.
In October of this year, the three of us got together for a week at Tony’s house, where he lives with his wife and children. The week was priceless. We laughed, assembled puzzles, and saw parts of Boise, Idaho, and Oregon. The Idaho Reptile Zoo and the World Center for Birds of Prey were favorites that I plan to visit again.
I am thankful for my sister. It’s nice to be able to pick your family. I have a friend who has been awesome over the years. We share stories about how God has been caring for us or how we see His work in our lives. She gets together with my wife and me occasionally, and it’s always a lot of fun. Often, her comments about God in her life help me to keep focused on Him too.
I am thankful for family and friends. I have a few family members and friends that I am very thankful to have them in my life. They have been loving and taught me many things to shape me into the man that I am today.
I am very picky on who I call friend. The friends in my life are few but they are because we have managed to develop a Godly relationship that has been encouraging to both of us. There is no pretense. No gossip. No fluff-fluff.
Last but not least, I am thankful for my readers. It is for you that I write stories with tips about living with Charcot-Marie-Tooth. I am grateful that you took the time to read my posts and comments.
My list of thankfulness could go on forever. However, I will stop here and wish you a blessed Thanksgiving.
