This is the one week of the year when a lot of time is spent reminding us all to be thankful.  And one day after we gather family and/or close friends for a feast and quality time together, hundreds of thousands (if not millions) of people get up hours before they EVER would on ANY other day, and accumulate many things to give to others, so that we may have new things for which to be thankful. 

A few years ago, I became reacquainted with the first girl I ever had a crush on, fell in love with, whatever you would call it at age 12.  We had lost touch after 16, having grown up on opposite ends of Minneapolis, without Facebook, texting, e-mailing, or any other convenient means of communication - just that one phone for the whole house, right in the middle of the house.  In Barb's case, there were five siblings, who were all ears.   The more privacy one has, the more likely a courtship can happen.

Long story short, boy finds girl again on Facebook (I know...how cliche!), boy falls in love with girl........and girl suddenly has stage four cancer.  Out of nowhere.  So far, she's doing as well as one can, under the circumstances.  It's a path of a lot of unknown, and they don't make a Cancer for Dummies book - or if they do (I didn't bother to look), it's not a one-size-fits-all proposition.

My point:  yes....be thankful.  By all means.  It could all be gone tomorrow...

Best wishes,

Todd Mitchell