Thanksgiving 2009

As we prepare to celebrate Thanksgiving in this Country, we generally think about family, our freedoms and the prosperity we all enjoy. These thoughts are generally how we have approached this holiday. For Rose and I this year will be a little different. Neither of us have had life threatening illnesses such as cancer or MS; we have never been in life threatening accidents or had long stays in the hospital. This year we have experienced these things and have come through fine. There is a new feeling about this holiday. We will continue to be thankful for our country and our family. But this year we are thankful that I am gradually getting well and stronger each day. We are thankful for the Doctors and nurses that took care of me. We are thankful for the advances in medicine that will allow me to enjoy many more years of life. There have already been some emotional moments when we think of all that we have gone through in 2009 already. We are also grateful for family and friends that are praying for us and those that send us cards of encouragement. Due to my need to protect myself from a potential infection close to my next transplant, we are having Thanksgiving at home by ourselves this year. We have asked family members and friends not to come over just now. We look forward to a grand dinner and pause to return thanks for the blessings that we enjoy. We encourage our family and friends to do the same.

Happy Thanksgiving 2009

Rick and Rose.