Thankful Thursday!

“Each day offers us the gift of being a special occasion if we can simply learn that as well as giving, it is blessed to receive with grace and a grateful heart.”  - Sarah Ban Breathnach

Hello Everyone!  Russia, how are you?    I know it has been forever since I have posted a TT but I had SO much to do!   My goodness I have so much to be thankful for on this day the Thursday before my birthday! So here it goes.....


The five winners for this week are....

Debbie Clark - Debbie is/was a nurse at CMC hospital in Scranton.  Now, I don't know if anyone knows the back story of this writer but it is a long one.   But the main points I'll make right now is that on May 6, 1984 at 4:22 pm my mom gave birth to a child that was hardly breathing in Kingston, PA (that baby was me).  By the end of that night, I was moved to CMC hospital and my mom and dad were told that I wouldn't live to see a week.  So... 28 years later here I am breathing. Of course, it wasn't easy. For the first three years of my life I was in and out of the hospital (CHOP and CMC).  By the time I was cleared to go home for good (of course it wasn't definite that it was for good that the time), I had three cardiac arrests and sixteen respiratory arrests under my belt.  When I was almost seven add two more of each and then I was in clear.  There is the gist of it. So anyway, Debbie Clark had a lot to do with my survival. Of course there were other nurses and doctors involved but Debbie also had a separate connection with the "patient" as she knew my mother for a few years by the time I was born.  As it ended up  I now know her daughter (who was in school with my brother)  and who son (who I graduated with).  So as my 28th trip around the sun begins, I cannot help but think of Debbie and be grateful that she took the time to take care of me.

Dollie - If you go to my mom's, packed away in a box somewhere (she just moved that's why)  you will find a dirty, worn out doll with brown hair wearing a blue outfit with white polka dots. She has rosy cheeks and bright blue eyes which always smile as much as her little pink lips! Her hair used to be curly but over the first three years of my life, I apparently stressed my mother and Dollie out.   Dollie used to have a little bell thing inside of her which would make her jingle when you shook her. I say used to because she has too many accidents of people not watching where she was and tripping over. She is my favorite toy and I'll keep her forever. She was with me for every hospital and doctor visit. Every shot that I had to get, I squeezed Dollie's hand and it didn't hurt so much.  Jacob asked to see her once and I told him that she was off limits.... that means something people. So for Dollie's loyalty, I am forever grateful.

Lindsey Stevens - was my very first best friend.  Her and I played at the North Scranton Little League while our siblings were off playing some form of baseball.  My first real memory of her is when we were about five she asked me if I wanted to come over her house.  I told her that I would ask my mom and what her address was and then suddenly I am nine years old and still friends with Lindsey. Most importantly, Lindsey always treated me like I was a normal kid. When I look back at my first school birthday parties, Lindsey is always my right hand man-  eh- girl.    Of course, the great divide of middle school occurred and that is when we ended up separating.  We did try very hard to stay close but it just didn't happen, as that happens.  However, Lindsey showed me how to be a friend and what it was all about.  So for all of my days, I will always remember Miss Lindsey Margaret Stevens and be grateful that she was my first friend.

The House That Built Me -  It may not have been a everyone's ideal living situation, but I loved it.  It made my upbringing completely amazing and unique. I miss that house everyday and I miss the people that I considered family.  I actually dream about it more than twice a week and long to go back to those days.  I will have endless gratitude towards that building.

My Aunt Lisa and Uncle Terry -  They were kind enough to invite me to spend Easter vacation with them in Paris.  It was the most beautiful thing I have ever done.  I will take time, sometime soon, and do a blog all about it. I will never be able to thank them enough for what they have done for me It was such a fantastic experience and I will never forget having Easter brunch aboard a wonderful ship on the River Seine!

What are you thankful for?