"We All Have A Reason To Be Grateful

Even in the lean times you have a reason to be grateful. It's been a very hectic week and my schedule was been packed with meetings; answering telephone calls and responding to income emails. Additionally, I'd produced and interviewed three amazing guests for our "Women in Jazz" series for CoffeeTalk Jazz Radio and there was the post show wrap-up for each guest.

CoffeeTalk Jazz Radio is hugely popular and to produce at my level takes hours of research and high energy. Before tackling another piece of paper, I decided to step back for a few moments and take a break. I called my sister for energy and to check-in as we often do throughout the day. I wasn't prepared for what she'd share she begin to talk about our family friend Yahcee.

I heard her voice but I could hardly ingest what she was saying. I repeated her words to be sure I was clear. I felt my voice crack as I grasped for air. My sister shared Yahcee’s grave diagnosis of "Brain Cancer".

Yachee has been a wonderful friend and a part of our family for the past 16 years. We haven't seen or heard from Yachee in months, that was unusual. I'd ask my sister every few weeks about Yachee her answer was always the same. "No I have not heard from him" she'd say. We thought he might be away on vacation he traveled extensively after his retirement.

The tiredness I felt earlier left me as my sister told me of Yahcee's fourth surgery to remove a large brain tumor. I couldn’t believe it! I asked her how Yachee was doing she said he's been out of the hospital and home for a week, he didn't sound like himself but he was grateful to be alive.

There are many ways to measure gratefulness and success. I choose to measure my wealth by the breath and health in my body. We all have a reason to be grateful and my number one reason is that I'm alive.

I'd like to hear your reason for being grateful!