November 22, 2006
Giving Thanks!
All too often, we cast a jaded eye at all that we have earned and all that we have received. This year, Thanksgiving is especially sweet for me, I am here to enjoy it. In January I was diagnosed with lung cancer and through the efforts of my family Doc, a terrific surgeon, an amazing oncologist and the care and friendship of the nurses at the cancer center where I received my chemo-therapy I am here. I do not know if the cancer will return, I do know that it is gone now and I am cancer free. For that I give thanks.
I also give thanks for my beloved family. For Shirley Melbert Roper and George M. Roper, Jr. both deceased, thank you for giving me life, for teaching me about the love of God and how to love Him in return. Thank you for teaching me about love of country and all the goodness that I find here. Thank you for my late sister Pam for the years of friendship and a shoulder to cry on now and then. Thank you for my younger brothers Bert and Doug for all the laughter, back rubs and just plain silliness that has consumed our lives along with the tears we have shed together. Thank you for Cyndy, my late first wife for sticking with me for 27 years and helping me raise Jennifer, my wonderful daughter who remains the light of my life. Thank you especially for Jennifer, a child who has brought more joy than heartache, who laughed as a child and the laugh lit up the darkest room and who still calls me "daddy" the most wonderful word in the world.
Thank you for Norma, my wife of the last 9 years, you who have wrapped me in a blanket of love and caring and sat with me through the illness, never giving up and never letting me give up either.
Thank you for all the folks in the United States military, those of you who serve and never heard a shot fired in anger and those of you who have suffered and died to preserve this wonderful nation.
Thank you for all of my readers who in the past two years of blogging have encouraged me, who have sent comments to my entries and winged prayers my way when I was ill. Thank you to all my blogging associates whom I have grown to love dearly, who have caused me to smile, to frown, and yes, to even get angry from time to time, for it is in the expression of deep felt emotion that we all become truly alive. Thank you for Woody, for him being a friend, a confidant and for being my co-author on this blog. Woody, your friendship means more to me than I can say.
Thank you for my Grandparents George and Marion Roper for raising a fine son, my dad. Thank you also for my other Grandparents Nat and Ethel Melbert, for teaching me humility and how love transcends trials and tribulations.
Thank you for my Uncle Jimmy and Aunt LaVerne who have loved me all these years and for my cousins Bruce and Kay who have always provided me with a smile when I think of them. Thank you for my Aunt Betty, who gave me shelter when I was in college, and who taught me the value of friendship.
Thank you also for each and every one of my readers and fellow citizens who have turned to another with a smile or an encouraging word, for those who have donated their time and wealth to giving to others asking nothing for themselves. Thank you for those that respond in kind to kindnesses extended.
Give thanks tomorrow for all that you have, kneel down and be aware that though this country is beset with problems, with trials and tribulations and threaded with many imperfections, it is still a lamp to the world, and still that "Shining City On The Hill."
God bless us, each and every one.
Posted by GM Roper at November 22, 2006 10:15 AM | TrackBackGM,
And as I give Thanks...you are on that list. Your friendship, humor, and keen mind are one of the many delights of my life. You bring sane perspective into the (too many) muddled minds of many.
As you'll recall from your Army days...Keep up the fire.
Posted by tad at November 22, 2006 11:57 AM
Tad, thank you, you too are on my list (among hundreds that I didn't name specifically). You and your beloved are true heros to America. You fought for her, stood for her and still stand for her. Thank YOU!!!
Posted by GM Roper at November 22, 2006 12:30 PM
Thanks for the reminder. It's so easy to get caught up in the peripheral stuff around holidays.
Posted by civil truth at November 22, 2006 12:37 PM
I rejoice that your health has been restored and that you have so much love in your life. Happy Thanksgiving and may God bless you all.
Posted by DRJ at November 22, 2006 01:41 PM
Civil Truth and DRJ, thank you for being regular readers and commenters. God Bless!
Posted by GM Roper at November 22, 2006 01:58 PM
*sniffle, sniffle* I love you Daddy-Guy!
Posted by Jennifer at November 22, 2006 02:47 PM
Happy birthday, Woody!
And a happy Thanksgiving to all!
Posted by jim hitchcock at November 22, 2006 03:36 PM
Aw..what a bootiful post GM!..Thank you for your courage this past year...I whine and moan more than u do in a year in one hour of my life!..lol
You have been so so brave and so dignified throughout.You are well received and well liked, even loved..by so so many..you probably have no earthly idea. God bless and keep you.
Peace always to u and your precious loved ones..Your friend....Angel :)
Posted by Angel at November 22, 2006 04:29 PM
GM.
A wonderful essay! And it made me think about how often we just go along and don't take time to count our many blessings.
As to your giving thanks for being cancer-free, well, it's of supreme importance to be thankful for life. The close calls help us to remember to be thankful.
God bless! And enjoy this Thanksgiving as a special one. Because it IS special. You're still here! You're still writing essays which make us think and reflect.
Posted by Always On Watch at November 22, 2006 05:00 PM
Thank you, Jim. For my birthday on Thursday, everyone take the day off.
G.M., likewise I thank you for your friendship and I am thankful for all the friends that we have made here.
Everyone have a wonderful Thanksgiving!
Posted by Woody at November 22, 2006 05:16 PM
GM: Just had time to read the post. Your friendship and sense of humor is very important to me, so don't plan on going anywhere soon. Next time you visit your brother in Sonora, I'm driving down to buy you and your family dinner.
See you guys Monday.
Posted by jim hitchcock at November 22, 2006 06:39 PM
Jim, does it matter if my brother lives in MERCED?
Posted by GM Roper at November 22, 2006 07:21 PM
GM
So great to hear from you, you have been in our prayers daily, we love and miss seeing you. Keep up the good work, take care of yourself, you are a pretty special guy.
we love you
Wayne and Charlene
Posted by Wayne and Charlene at November 23, 2006 01:21 AM
You are truly a "heart" to be thankful for! Thanks GM - glad you're always there for us all.
Posted by chrys at November 23, 2006 04:40 AM
We give thanks for you, GM. That you made it through your battle with cancer, and now your knee surgery. I haven't heard a peep out of you on that. What a remarkable man you are. What an incredible piece this was...it brought tears to my eyes and made it hard to read the whole thing. God bless you and your family, GM. ~Cao.
Posted by Cao at November 23, 2006 10:44 AM
GM you have been an inspiration for me...a light at the end of some dark tunnels. I always look forward to your advice and posts and, yes, the Ice Age Tales you and Mustang regale to so many of us. I am blessed to know you through this blog world we have created. May you have many more years of giving thanks!!
Posted by Raven at November 23, 2006 06:16 PM
Dear GM,
You may remember me and my sister, Therese. Me in person, she with email. Perhaps you remember the name Marroquin. Now it's Smith.
Therese sent my this blog & my husband and I are praying for you. Feel free to email and catch up if you'd like. I remember you fondly and would like to reconnect. That means you have to stay here on this planet. LOL
Posted by Catherine Smith at November 24, 2006 06:45 PM
