I’m happy to be here
tonight. Perhaps most of you don’t know that I was on a charity bike ride this
past May. Riding around Jerusalem we went up a short steep hill to see a
brand-new 9/11 memorial. The memorial was very impressive. Looking at it one
way it looks like a flame; looking at it another way it looks like and unfurled
American flag. The base of this monument was made out of materials taken from the
twin towers. On a wall behind it listed all the names of the people were
murdered on the day. It’s the only place outside New York that lists the names
like that.
Going down the hill I was
going very fast and was afraid of bumping into somebody so I moved towards the
left, hit some gravel, and lost control of my bike. Because of this accident I
spent four weeks in the hospital, six weeks at Mount Sinai’s acute rehab for spinal
injuries, and another four weeks in a regular rehab. So let me say I’m really
happy to be here tonight.
In the hospital I had to
make a major decision. I could focus on all my problems. I looked terrible. I
was in great pain. I was so debilitated, I couldn’t even push the call button
to summon a nurse. Or I could count my blessings. I quickly realized by
dwelling on all the negatives would not help me move forward. I would be stuck
in time, unhappy, and never make any real progress. By counting my blessings, I
would be able to overcome most if not all my obstacles and develop a gratitude
attitude
These are some of the blessings
I enumerated.
The fall didn’t happen
that far from Hadassah Hospital. I had the best spinal surgeon at Hadassah
operate on me. The fall could have damaged my spine even worse. I could have
become a Quadra paraplegic. In fact all my doctors both in Israel and America
have been great.
My family and friends
have to be one of the biggest blessings in my life. Without the love, help, and
support I would not be able to stand before you today.
I have had great
therapists. When I first came to America I can sit up by myself let alone stand
and walk. Because of my therapist I can now walk with and without a cane.
I am blessed because of
my interfaith community. Synagogues and churches have been praying for my
recovery. I literally felt the love and support of my community. Let me tell
you prayers to work.
I am not unique. We all
have experienced problems throughout our lives. God never promised us a rose
garden. For some of us it has been a death of a loved one, for others it has
been a health problem, and for still others it has been a divorce or loss of employment.
I don’t minimize the pain
and hardship you felt going through these crises. I once read about a woman who suffered one
terrible blow after another and she told her friend I know God doesn’t send us
any more burdens than we can bear. But I
just wish God didn’t have such a high opinion of me.
I’m convinced though if
you look back upon your life taking the long view, for most of us you too can
count more blessings than the difficulties.
That’s the challenge that I challenge of Thanksgiving. Count your
blessings one by one & I am sure you will discover that the blessings
outnumber the difficulties in your life. David Steindl-Rast observed, “You
can’t be grateful for everything but in every given moment you can find
something to be grateful for”. Your gratitude could be for
things as simple as the air you breathe, the love you feel in your heart, or
seeing the change of seasons.
Let me add though,
counting your blessings is just the first step. Once we become grateful for all
God’s blessings, Thanksgiving obliges us to share this bounty with all who are
in need. When we help others every day can be a thanks giving day.
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