Better Late Than Not At All

Last night, I was really struggling to come up with anything to be grateful for.

I can’t say that no one in our family died this year. I can’t say my husband is getting closer to returning to work. I can’t say my health has been stable this year. I can’t even say my dog is healthy, since we just found out he needs surgery next week.

So I wasn’t going to post anything at all about giving thanks.

But I feel differently tonight. Life is not giving me the big things I want, but there are many good things in my life nonetheless.

I’m grateful for the Instant Pot that made a scrumptious turkey breast in less than an hour with almost no effort on my part.

I’m grateful for the friend who joined us for dinner.

I’m grateful for the laughter we shared today.

I’m grateful for my niece (who apparently had a hot dog for dinner) and my nephew (who ate three bowls of what he called “cranberry applesauce”).

I’m grateful for the video I have from Thanksgiving 2013, which captured my Mom making my niece laugh.

I’m grateful for the new writing friends I made this year.

I’m grateful for my bed and soft flannel sheets.

I am grateful to be alive.

There are only a few hours left in Thanksgiving, so I’m getting this written just in time. I give thanks for what I have, and hope for the strength to carry the rest.

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16 Responses to Better Late Than Not At All

  1. Sue Ellis Dyar says:

    Thank you, Jenny.

  2. Jule says:

    I am grateful for you! You advocate for those of us of who have difficulty doing so. You do it with grace and passion and give voice to the voiceless. Thank you so much!

    • Jennie Spotila says:

      Jule, your comment means so much to me. I have a word graphic on the bulletin board above my desk. The biggest words, right in the middle, are “give voice.”

    • Jule. says:

      Awwwh, this made me cry. And honestly, you are my hero Jenny. When I realized I wasn’t getting better, yours was the first blog I found that spoke to me. Your honesty and activism, even though you are so ill, reminded me that I still have my voice. Recently as I have become sicker, thus housebound/bedbound, this community has become the lifeline for me. I am so grateful to you all for so many things. You reminded me that I can speak up and be heard. That we are stronger together. That I am still here.

  3. Darlene Prestwich says:

    This is beautiful Jennie. Thank you.

  4. LJ says:

    I’m grateful for the best niece ever!?

  5. Loretta says:

    I’m thankful that I have your voice and strength of will to focus my need and create action that I hope will be fruitful if we keep working towards it together.

  6. Pat Radcliff says:

    I am grateful for you and all you give us who suffer with CFS!!

  7. Tina says:

    Just sweet.

  8. Homa says:

    Thank you for sharing this, dear Jennie. This is such a moving post – many struggle with Thanksgiving at various times and you eloquently give voice to yours. I love you and am happy you found gratitude by the end of the day – and were generous with it by reflecting on it here.

  9. Marcie Myers says:

    Dear Jennie,
    I’m grateful for YOU. For all of your hard work and searching out the details to then hand it to me to easily read, to know that we are getting a bit more money this year, to know that I am not alone in this saga we can’t even name. Or define. Grrrrr. I did a TV interview with a local popular newscaster that will air Tuesday, Nov. 28. It will include bits of UNREST. I’m grateful that I made it to the interview with the help of friends and grateful that my subsequent crash only lasted 5 days. Should any of you be curious to see my interview about living with CFS, Google Channel 6, Augusta, GA and “Jennie” (yes, that’s her name, too) and you should find the video of it. I’m grateful to just be here and able to even contribute from time to time. Marcie Myers

  10. Cindy says:

    I’m grateful for you! Jule said it perfectly – you give voice to the voiceless. Your research and blogs are outstanding. Many thanks, Jennie!

  11. CathK says:

    Jennie, thank you! Your voice spoke to me when I first got sick, and was wading through the online forums and blogs, trying to figure out who was sane and who wasn’t. I rely on your blog to help me navigate the political and advocacy issues that I can barely understand. And the medical news-what does it *really* mean? Yours is a voice of both great passion and objective understanding. I could understand if you decided that you just can’t do this anymore. But I’m so thankful that you do.

  12. Kathy D. says:

    Thank you for posting what you are grateful for as it is now inspiring me to think of what I’m grateful for.

    One thing that I am thankful about is your blog, advocacy and the many ME/CFS patients and advocates who comment here regularly.

    I am also grateful for all of the advocates and scientists who are on our side and trying to find causes, biomarkers, and treatments.

    And I am appreciative of Jen Brea and her colleagues who made “Unrest,” and everyone who is showing it around this country and globally.

    So, yes, your blog moved me to think about gratitude and appreciation.

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