Gratitude
This June, I experienced the gift and lesson of gratitude firsthand.
I had reason to check in with my doctor, and he ran a quick echocardiogram. He picked up something and suggested I see my cardiologist. I have long known I have a prolapsed mitral valve, and I get it checked regularly. We determined it was time for the valve to be repaired or replaced. After meeting with the surgeon, we scheduled a repair for late June and initiated all the preoperative testing.
This caused some changes in our travel plans, and my wife and travel friends all understood, and we moved on. Then, 6 days before surgery, I got T-boned in the Honda CR-V in the driver’s
door, and the car was totaled. I wind up in the emergency room with a broken collarbone and a very sore left side. You would think of the bruises, that I had had a few too many, and went to a terrible tattoo artist.
I am fortunate it was not worse for me or for the others in the car that hit me.
My point in this post is what I have experienced and what I want to share, suggesting that no one should take it for granted.
First, I extend my gratitude to the first responders. Second, for my spouse and family, who immediately put their arms around me. Third, for my church and friends who showed up on the news. Calls, emails, cards, meals, prayers, rides. I am very reminded of why we live where we do and the support that flows through this place. I am also grateful for the level of support and responsiveness of the Graham Company, Chubb, Highmark, Penn Medicine, and Faulkner Honda, who have made my care and car replacement a priority. My valve job is rescheduled for when I am healed, forecasted for August.
Community is everything; it has been a long time since I have been on the receiving end. A lesson to have plans and support in place when you need it and not take it for granted. My work at ECS, where many of the people we serve lack such a network, is very much on my mind.
I am grateful for my network, friends, and family, as well as the support I have received and the opportunities that will come with my next medical adventure. I am also reminded that, for many, such support does not exist, and for that, we all have more work to do.
Gratitude, have it and commit to creating it for others who may not have the same network that we do. Support ECS in Philadelphia, Fisherman’s Mark in Lambertville, or other organizations with similar focuses.
And please, we have enough meals in the freezer.