A Thanksgiving of Gratitude and Hope
This Thanksgiving feels unlike any other for me. It’s not just about turkey or pumpkin pie this year—it’s about celebrating something more profound. For the first time since my wife’s diagnosis, we will be sitting at the dinner table cancer-free. An immense gratitude fills our home, and I want to share it with you.
The Fight of Her Life
A cancer diagnosis is like a thunderstorm you never see coming. The winds of uncertainty roar through every aspect of life, and the rain of fear drenches even the most hopeful moments. When my wife was diagnosed with Esophageal cancer a year ago, our family’s world was upended. But I didn’t fully realize her incredible strength and resilience.
Olivia’s fight began the moment she received the diagnosis. She faced chemotherapy with courage, endured the exhaustion of radiation with focus, and underwent major surgery to reclaim her health. Each step of the way, she reminded me and everyone around her of what it means never to give up. Her determination became a beacon, not only for herself but for all of us.
Gratitude can be hard to see in the middle of a storm. I’ll admit there were tough days. But my wife taught me a lesson that will stay with me forever—you can find light even in the darkest corners, and gratitude is the fuel that keeps it burning.
A New Perspective on Life
Now that we’re on the other side of the storm, my perspective on life has completely shifted. I no longer take the small things for granted. I cherish every ordinary moment—from sipping coffee together, our conversations on our hikes with Denali, and watching the sunset from our back porch.
Watching her fight for her life gave me a deeper appreciation for health—hers and everyone else’s. I run each morning to clear my mind, my morning meditation of gratitude for what I have, not what I don’t have. As I’ve learned, health is a gift we too often ignore until it’s threatened.
I also learned how critical it is to see the people around us truly. It’s easy to overlook the courage and strength others carry every day. Olivia reminded me of the power within us—something we should celebrate and recognize in one another, not only in times of crisis but always.
Gratitude is a Practice
If there’s one thing I hope you take away from this, gratitude is not just something we feel—it’s something we practice. It’s pausing to say “thank you” for the little moments we might otherwise breeze past. It’s expressing love, joy, and appreciation for the people who shape our lives.
Remember to slow down and reflect whether you’re celebrating Thanksgiving or another Thursday. What are you grateful for today? Who are the people who bring light into your life every day?
For anyone who is still in the thick of the battle—whether you’re fighting cancer, supporting someone who is, or even carrying the weight of another type of struggle—I see you. Keep going. Dont’ Let the Hard Days Win, “Believe” thank you Ted Lasso. Find those fragments of gratitude, no matter how small they may seem. They are what will guide you to the other side.
For Survivors, Caregivers, and Everyone in Between
To the survivors, I’m inspired by your strength. To the caregivers, your compassion makes all the difference. To the health advocates and enthusiasts, thank you for helping others focus on what truly matters.
This Thanksgiving, I’m holding onto gratitude tighter than ever before. For Olivia, for our family, for the health we have now, and for the lessons I will carry with me throughout the rest of my life.
What are you grateful for today? Please share it with someone who means the world to you.
From our family to yours, Happy Thanksgiving.