I Almost Died A few Months Ago. On This Thanksgiving Day I’m Extra Thankful To Be Alive
I almost died a few months ago.
Only about three people know the story.
Many others wouldn’t care; they may feign concern, but they’re merely curious.
This was evident when certain people for whom I would have shown up — no excuses — abandoned me at the time I most needed them.
That hurt to the core — and further exacerbated my pain.
But God is faithful, and by His grace, I’m still standing.
John 15:13 says, “Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.”
Over the past few months, God placed in my path some unexpected “angels” who showed up in the most unimaginable ways to help lift me up and carry me along.
They include people who were dealing with challenges of their own — cancer, divorce, (also like me) the loss of a loved one and trauma, unemployment, and dire financial issues.
Yet they were unwavering in their support for me. They made the sacrifice to put aside their own personal matters and show up for me 100 percent.
Today, I especially want to say thanks to: my amazing mother, Victoria, and her fellow prayer warriors in Barbados; my pastor; my EAP psychotherapist; my sister Sancia Peters; my sisters from another Marquita Gittens StHilaire, Sharon Murrell, Jan Little Percival; Natasha Desjardins; Patricia Cole; Gemma Watters; Alina Selyukh Pickeral; Marva Cossy; Cassandra Crawford and Jennifer Russell-Holder; my bredren Victor Houston Oly, Allan Boomer, Ato B., Robert Bronaugh, Roger Cummins, Rob Evans and Hal Bastian; and the incomparable Shevon Estwick, Michel Martin, Cathy Whitlock Walker, Claudette Lindsay-Habermann and Lillian Lorde who have each been a guiding light amid the darkness.
I also want to extend special thanks for the support I got on the job, particularly from my National Desk team managers Ammad Omar and Denice Rios; Stuart Harding in legal; Pat O’Donnell from our SAG-AFTRA union; and Karen G Bates from our Peer-to-Peer Support Group.
Thanks as well to those who reached out during this tempestuous season with genuine empathy, to say I was in their thoughts and prayers.
Indeed, it takes a village.
I’m still “going through,” but day by day, I’m growing stronger in every sphere of my life, and I trust God to bring me through this valley and to the mountaintop.
Above all, on this day we focus on “thanksgiving,” I give all thanks and glory to Jesus Christ, my savio(u)r for this precious, precious gift called life.
Gratitude is a must.
Happy Thanksgiving Day, bless up and one love to y’all.
Island Soul City Dreams 