Grateful

This Thanksgiving, I have so much to be thankful for.  First and foremost, I am grateful to still have my family intact. 

Grandaddy has had a horrible year and we came close to losing him this week.  He has had at least five hospitalizations this year, the shortest for about a week and the longest for over three weeks and then another two weeks in inpatient rehab.  Time will tell how long his most recent hospitalization will be.  He will be in the hospital for over two weeks before we consider discharge and we are hoping that he can go to J.W. Sommers again for heavy-duty rehab.

Earlier this week, we were faced with the decision of moving forward with a risky surgery or bringing him home.  Grams had her mind up for him to have the surgery, but we weren’t so sure after hearing how difficult the recovery would be.  Later last Monday, Grandaddy made the decision to have the surgery after discussion with his doctor.  We now know that this was the right decision because, while he is still very sick, he is so much better than he was.

Grandaddy is a fighter and still has so much fight left in him.  I can only hope I will be that strong and determined if I am lucky enough to make it to 90. 

For him and the opportunity to spend time with him, this year I am especially thankful.