"Attitude for Gratitude"

Happy Thanksgiving!!  We had a great day with all the cousins, aunt, uncles, and grandparents - 36 in total.

Before celebrating many of us plus some family friends attended Thanksgving mass at our local church, St. Augustines.  The pastor Fr. Pradrig Greene had asked both myself and a Marine reserve to speak about our "Attitude for Gratitude".

Below is my take on the Being Thankful.  But it is such a small world.  Of all the people in our parish, the other speaker was Ken Yonker.  I wish him all the best in his current assignment in Bahrain.

• 1st we both selected the same quote for our speech.  Quite a surprise when I heard it and had yet to go.  But I worked it in and it was fine. 
• 2nd, when I was in elementary school (5+ years ago).  "Mr. Ken", as he was known, was my Kids Club (afterschool program) teacher.

Happy Thanksgiving Everyone!

My name is Kaitlin Gallagher, How has my "Attitude for Gratitude" changed this past year?

"Gratitude unlocks the fullness of life. It turns what we have into enough, and more. It turns denial into acceptance, chaos to order, confusion to clarity. It can turn a meal into a feast, a house into a home, a stranger into a friend. Gratitude makes sense of our past, brings peace for today and creates a vision for tomorrow."

I have pretty much been a "glass ½ full" person, pretty optimistic about life in general. 

• Grateful for this great town, unlike so many who can't wait to escape from.  
• My Family, all 9 cousins and my 4 grandparents close by.   
• My Friends whom I have known since Kindergarten and others who I have the privilege of meeting since.  
• My CCOP community, enjoying the FF classes as a child, receiving the sacraments, participating at mass as a lector, usher, singing in the choir, an alter server and currently co-teaching a 3^rd grade FF class.  
• And of coarse being a part of the VBS family

During that one week of VBS per year, God's many blessings are all present. 

• The message and music carried us thru the rest of the year. 
• The transformed hall reminded each of us of the gifts that surround us daily. 
• The many talents that God has given so many in order for the week to be a success.  
• The spirit felt as on entered, either as a participant or an observer, was permeable.

This past year I have battled stage 4 Leukemia & Lymphoma.  The diagnosis, although a surprise, made sense somewhat.  My body had been calling out for help.  I had back pain that started as a "softball injury", we thought.  However, it quickly progressed to unbearable pain.  I also had a lump at the base of my throat.  Although painless, not normal.

Thru God's grace we landed at UCSF where they were able to diagnose and begin treatment quickly.  While a cancer diagnosis is difficult.. knowing what was wrong and what path needed to be taken was comforting and reassuring.  I quickly learned that the blessings I had enjoyed and recognized thru my life did not end but were vastly expanded.

I can recall my phone calls and visitors all with well wishes and many, many prayers.  There was holy water from Fatima & Lourdes.  But I most remember Fr. Pradrig's visit at the hospital during the first couple of weeks.  He wanting to comfort me mentioned "It's just not fair".  "Not fair", I said.  Why not, someone has to do this why not me?  I did not see this journey as a punishment or "bad luck".  It was a battle that I knew I would get thru.

I quickly began to take note of all the new blessings that I had not been privy to in the past.

• The scientists who tirelessly search for a cure, but in the meantime have developed with precision the ever evolving treatment plans.  
• The doctors with mind and hearts that WANT to heal.  It's not just a job  
• The nurses, who caringly watch over me, administer my meds, watch movies with me and became my friends.  They truly wear angel wings.  
• My best friends and their families; the many long trips to SF to visit, the comforting blanket, the meals for my family, the support for my parents and can't forget the many signs or the 1000 peeps in front of the house  
• This wonderful community; the prayer shawl from CCOP, the 1000 cranes made by kids led by Morgan Ingram, the beautiful cards of well wishes and the months of meals. All made with such love and an abundance of prayers.

I believe I was one of the fortunate.  I tolerated the chemotherapy, surgeries and the scans.  I count that as a great blessing!  I was able to enjoy life during a time when others would hibernate and have difficulty seeing the constant bounty of blessings around.

This Thanksgiving, I am done with my treatments, cancer free and returning to school after break.

Although I had, for the most part been grateful for whom I am and what I have, My "Attitude for Gratitude" has only been strengthen by the events of this past year.

I pray that God gives me the grace to repay these gifts and blessings by helping others in need.

So, how has this past year changed or not changed your “Attitude for Gratitude”?

Thank you and Happy Thanksgiving!