Why I am Thankful During This Holiday

Each day all of us deal with the stresses of life, be it at work, at home, with our finances or somewhere. Nobody is immune. Despite these stresses, I often find for myself able to get grounded by simply thinking about events from years ago. Today, I want to share why I am so happy and thankful this season and for years to come.

Back in the year 2000, after no longer playing softball, going to the gym, skating, and biking every week, I started gaining weight very badly. At some points it even seemed like I lost all energy to do everyday things like “stand up.” Sadly that year, almost every 3 weeks were spent in funeral homes for way too many family members, for close friends, and even for my father. Adding to our challenges, my wife had been coping with a serious cancer medical scare. Making matters worse, a day or so after my father’s funeral, my wife (9 months pregnant at the time!) and I were in car accident right next to the old Floridian Diner on Flatbush Ave Brooklyn. Apparently the other driver forgot that Red light means stop. All I will say about that night is that we made it through safely. Two days later, my first daughter was born.

Months earlier before the accident, stress at work became highly intense as many coworkers were laid off every few months. One night as I am walking home from work thinking to myself “What’s going to happen next?”, a careless driver almost runs me over. Luckily the woman hit her breaks in time. In the end she just tapped me on the hip while I stood dead center of the street. Piling onto this stress during those very same months, my house was quite literally becoming a real life sequel of the Tom Hank’s movie “The Money Pit”.

So 2001 finally arrives. I of course was thinking things will be better. I of course then had yet another horrible car accident only Superman walks away from. Luckily all I suffered were a few broken teeth and bruises. Seat-belts and airbags do work!

While coping with all these life events, it wasn’t long after my daughter was born, I quite literally started falling asleep anytime, anywhere. After sometimes sleeping for 11 straight hours, I’d wake up, turn over and need to sleep some more. At work, I’d find myself waking up to a computer screen with a single letter typed for 10+ pages long as my hand was still pressing on the keyboard. At this point I seriously thought I was going through clinical depression, though I really could be very happy at times. Overall, I had no energy left to properly help my wife, which really was unfair to her. Adding to the chaos, there were yet more trips to funeral homes and the heart breaking tragedies of 9/11.

When I finally saw the doctor to see what was wrong, I found out my physical issues were just a few treatable medical issues. The most severe was diagnosed as a “triple whammy” of sleep apnea conditions. Nowadays, I just hook up to a CPAP machine every night so I keep breathing in my sleep. Though it took me over two years to finally be able to wear the CPAP comfortably, ultimately I felt better than ever.

In the end I realized I was so lucky. Lucky that ALL I HAVE TO SIMPLY DO is attach to a CPAP machine at night. Lucky I am even still here! Lucky for having my daughter, then yet another daughter. Lucky that I have been with my wife all these years. The births of my daughters have helped me cope will all these horrible events. (Oh yes, there has been so very much more since then too.) Raising the girls is a lot of work, but it just keeps getting better and better as they get older. My wife has been amazing through it all, and she continues to give me strength.

Thinking about all those events, realizing how far I have come in life & career since then, and having my wonderful family, truly helps me so much. When I feel my butt getting kicked by work or life in general, I just remember to feel grateful, regroup, and kick some butt right back. Bring it on!

For me, my family is my purpose. Knowing that empowers me to bring out my passion at home, at work, and everywhere in between. What makes you feel grateful? What inspires you? Just ask yourself, and always remind yourself of those answers.

Thanks for letting me share. Each and every one of you have a Happy Thanksgiving.

Photo credited to Jake Caldiero - Instagam @Jake_Caldiero

#BeThankful #HappyThanksgiving #RockOnMyFriendsV