THIRTEEN

I had a health scare. I jumped right into imagining myself in surgery, having chemotherapy and in search of the perfect wig. The right wig seemed important. I was thinking long auburn locks.

My lovely "more than my boyfriend," after working a 12 hour night shift at that hospital, sat by my side exhausted while I waited for my tests. What a wonderful man. I was escorted back to the waiting room where all the women were sporting open-front gowns. Lots of breasts "almost" on display. My name was called and I followed the mammographer. She was incredibly kind. I felt safe and somehow she was able to keep my fear at bay. After the radiologist saw the results...they wanted more pictures. You can imagine how I was feeling at that point. I went in for one thing and they found another? Lori brought me back again and kept me calm. She assured me that everything would be okay. After an ultra-sound and a consultation, I found out that I was going to live. (You can probably gather that I am a bit black and white with my thinking.)

Because my current gratitude practice is writing 365 thank yous, I went home and sent a note to Lori. I wrote another merci to my general practioner, Anna, who has been my doctor for 10 years. I saw her earlier this week for my initial consultation. She is great. Even when I might be having an exam that involves stirups, she makes it okay. Then, of course, one to my boyfriend. That brings me to 13. Only 352 to go! Everywhere I look I have someone or something to be grateful for.

Lastly, I give thanks to my body. M.J. Ryan writes :"The truth is, no matter what we look like, we are all given bodies that keep us alive, and for that fact alone they are worthy of our appreciation."
I am grateful that I am healthy. It's easy to take our wellness forgranted.

I have written a lot about female anatomy today. If you are a woman, be grateful for your body. If you are a man..perhaps be grateful for your significant other's healthy organs. I should stop writing now, as I am getting goofy.