Thanksgiving

Yeah, it's hokey, a tired, worn out cliche, but here goes:

I'm thankful:

That I don't have to have the smell of cooking turkey in my house all day.

We won't be facing turkey leftovers again.

That Ginna and Edward and Isaac will be our family this year for dinner. That child . . . I could eat him up.

Yoga may be possible by Monday.

My husband is working really hard to get back on his feet, sharing his feelings with me in a new and hopeful way.

My children are all doing things they love: Emma paying her dues in print journalism, Sarah directing a Pinter play in New York to great acclaim (at NYU), Avi learning every tech thing there is while excelling in high school, and Heshy being thrilled at receiving 7 new (to us) neckties for his 8th birthday.

My printed shirts which say "Between cancer and Judith, cancer should be scared" are on their way to me.

I live in one of the most beautiful places on the planet and the weather finally turned solidly fall.

Burning leaves will fill our outdoor fireplace so I can have one brief minute of burning leaves, a smell I sorely miss from childhood.

My work responsibilities are on hold for now.

I am the recipient of so many prayers and blessings, today and every day, even when I'm not sick.

The crimson nail polish I put on my fingernails in the middle of the night when I couldn't sleep still looks nice.

My siblings are all loving me and hearing that I love and appreciate them too. Sheila, who lives in Palm Springs with her partner Sheri; Jerry, the eldest, near Fremont (not too far from here); and David, back in Philly where we all grew up. I am in the best possible health to face this cancer; I can only imagine how disabling this would be if my health had already been compromised.

And thousands of other things. I may add to this later on when they come to me. Still feeling a tiny bit queasy.

pray for everyone's prayers to be heard.