One Month

Today it has been one month since Tim died.

One of the things that Tim and I talked about often during his illness was how grateful we were for all the things that had gone right in our lives. We were grateful that Tim's employer, Northwestern University, had such good health benefits and a sick leave policy that allowed Tim to continue receiving his full paycheck throughout each occurrence of his cancer. We were grateful that we had chosen a lifestyle that allowed me to stay at home to care for Tim during his illness and care for our kids when he was well. We were extremely grateful that my mother was able and willing to come live with us each time Tim fell ill, often on no notice. Most of all, we were very grateful that our children were and continue to be healthy, smart, caring individuals.

Please take a minute today to count your blessings. If you are in good health, you are lucky. If you have a job and a place to live and food on your table, you are lucky. If you have people that care about you, you are indeed lucky. If you have even one of those things, you are lucky.

Tim's illness and death were terribly unlucky for him and for us. But even through all the bad times, I know how lucky I am - I still have all those things. I am particularly blessed to have so many people that care for me and my boys and have been willing to show that care in so many ways. More than anything else, I am lucky to have my boys, of whom I am immensely proud. I hope that they will know how lucky they are to have Tim for a father.