Thanksgiving 2008

There is a great long list I've been working on, in my head, for days. All the really meaningful things in my life that I am truly grateful for. All those many things and people for which I give thanks, sometimes daily, sometimes once in a while, sometimes nowhere near enough. But at this moment, as I write this, my heart and mind are elsewhere, my concerns are more immediate and they have served to push from my mind that whole great long list.

My friend Mark is in the hospital. Annie is getting him settled into his room and I am at Mark's house watching over his sleeping sons. It is as they sleep, unaware that their Dad is ill, that I am writing this. My Thanksgiving post.

Mark is in his mid forties. He, like me, is probably a bit larger than he should be, but has always enjoyed reasonably good health. However, although I don't feel comfortable discussing his medical issues here(they are, and should be, private), suffice it to say a sudden appearance of potentially life threatening issues is disconcerting to all concerned, to say the very least. And this, suddenly, becomes the focus of all of our concentration and attention.

Some of you may already know that Annie provides child care for Mark's two boys, 5 days a week. This is not a job. There is no compensation involved here. It's done out of love and friendship. Before Mark and his ex-wife were divorced the 4 of us were the closest of friends. When she left, it just seemed natural to all of us that Annie continue to render the child care she had already done for two years before they split. Annie's presence has helped to minimize the impact, on those two little boys, of the fact that their Mom left the family. She is their stability right now. She has been MY stability always.

So on this Thanksgiving Day, my list has been shortened. To one, for now. I am thankful for Annie. For 31 plus years of Annie. For all that we have been through together and all that we have yet to do, together.

If you don't mind, I'll do the rest of my list tomorrow.

Peace.