With the Thanksgiving season fast approaching, many of us will be giving thanks for all of the goodness we have in our lives. Some may have more to be thankful for than others, but all around we all have one thing in common to be thankful for; our life. My dad once told me that when a man has his life, he has the world in his hands. He was also known to say that everyone wants to go to heaven but no one wants to die.

Life is the only creation mankind cannot duplicate or dominate; yet it is the one thing that everyone holds most dear. Life brings us pain, it brings us joy, and it gives us hope, but never promises us tomorrow. It was meant to be lived to its fullest.

About two months ago I met a beautiful young lady named Michelle. During my initial meeting with her, I noticed that she had some right side paralysis. At the time I assumed that she probably had been afflicted with a childhood disease, possibly Polio. Two days ago, I met with Michelle again; this time in my office to discuss being on the board of the foundation for which she is the executive director.

Ironically, earlier that morning as I was walking into my office, I was feeling a little sorry for my self. I was frustrated by the fact that everything in my life was not in queue as I expected it to be. I felt tired, drained, and lifeless. I was questioning my importance in the world.

Then Michelle walked into my office with a bright shining smile; as if she had just won the biggest lotto jackpot. She began talking about the work of the foundation and her enthusiasm was contagious. As she talked, I felt my troubles fade. I grew excited as I saw the importance of the work that she does.

One aspect in particular touched my heart. Her foundation reaches out to the community and organizes bereavement camps for children who have lost family members or close friends. They provide a place where these children can go and connect with other children who are experiencing the same feelings of loss. The foundation places trained bereavement counselors in the camp so the children can experience fun, freedom, and compassionate understanding. They make these counselors available to the children after the camp so that the kids have an opportunity to talk to someone when they are ready.

Sitting there listening to Michelle, I was moved by the excitement in her voice and the glow on her face. It made me want to know her better so I asked her to tell me about her life. She told me about herself; about the tumor that was so deep inside the brain that
the doctors decided not to operate because the operation that could save her life could also take her life. She talked about her attitude and experiences growing up. She painted a picture of a great life filled with joy and happiness and many wonderful experiences. She talked about getting married. Then shared that as she was working toward her Masters degree with an emphasis in public interest and non-profit organizations her world changed.

She had just completed her thesis and was taking it to be copied when she began feeling dizzy. She returned home to her husband who took one look at her and decided to drive her to the hospital. On the way there Michelle began to lose consciousness. Her husband pulled into the fire station. Michelle’s last memory of the experience was of a fireman asking her to “stay with him.”

Eight days later, she awoke in the intensive care unit. Michelle had suffered a massive stroke. The doctors told her that they were not able to find any rational or medical reason for why she had survived the type of stroke that she had. They also told her that she would not be able to walk or talk again. Later on Michelle’s husband told her that before the doctor took her into surgery to perform the craniotomy, he told the family that there was less than a fifty percent chance of her surviving.

Michelle was only twenty-five years old when that happened. She had a long road ahead of her. She had to relearn all of the daily life functions; the functions that most of us take for granted. She had to relearn to walk, to recognize a tube of toothpaste, to brush her teeth.

Today Michelle is twenty-seven years old. She walks and talks despite the dire prognosis she was given. She conducts her life like anyone else, just with a small handicap. Outside of Michelle’s right side paralysis she is just another beautiful young lady who has taken up the cause of helping children facing the loss of loved ones.

As Michelle rewound her memory and shared her story with me, we both wiped away tears. I saw a bright light of a life that has no beginning and no ending. I realized that I have much to be thankful for. I have my life; I am able to love and I am alive.

What do you have to be thankful for? If you are reading this story then you have much to be thankful for. Still not sure? Start with your eyes, which allowed you to read this story. Move on to celebrate the rest of your body. Forget your minor imperfections. Celebrate you. Then think about those people you love. Celebrate their lives. If you still do not feel thankful, I hope a rainbow crosses your path.

As for me, I'm thankful for Michelle, a lovely young woman who made me a better person because she shared her story.