Tag: thanksgiving

Active Thanks

Joanne Dragun, M.D.

When Miss Emma arrived for her check up this week she is a buzz of excitement. The PET scan looks good which says more about her own fortitude than therapy she received. Esophageal cancer is never easy and managing during covid took its toll. What Miss Emma teaches us is the power of spirit when the body deceives. “Doc, I missed Thanksgiving last year so I intend to live it up this week!”

Miss Emma is fortunate to have family nearby so no traveling is involved. She tells how her daughter is making the Thanksgiving feast and since all adults are vaccinated this year, 9 children and 16 grandchildren will contribute to the festivities. “My job is my sweet potato pie- oooh how they missed it last year!”

“That’s quite a crowd so just how many pies do you make?” She smiles wide with pride. “I make four pies for the family and ten pies for the church.” That is an ambitious project but I can tell it’s one of love and devotion. Her church feeds anyone who comes – families and homeless on Thanksgiving. “Doc, I want to be with my family ’cause I am truly thankful, but while I am there, I just love knowing that I can touch so many other folks who will be enjoying my pies”.

Many patients will come through the office this week, some discussing their meal and travel plans. Some will be alone, but almost all will share about the holiday. Miss Emma reminds us how saying and giving thanks while heartfelt and genuine, can be extended so much further by action. She believes her gift to others of her own special talent gives her reason to celebrate and that God saw to her healing just for this purpose.

As she celebrates her good news today, she wraps me in a big hug and I tell her how very sweet her potato pie project is to many others and that they have been gifted by her presence and generosity in their lives. She is a Thanksgiving miracle, sure to enjoy many blessings this holiday.

I have always been grateful for the lives I am honored to touch…… even more so for people who with simple, sweet joy rise from their own heavy burden to lift others. After a year of challenges and loss, let us together remember this holiday week to reach out and share our own grateful hearts and become a blessing to another this Thanksgiving.

Happy Thanksgiving to you and your families. I wish you renewed strength and a calm and grateful peace.

Pie

Joanne Dragun, M.D.2 Comments

The Tom and hen turkeys proudly escort their three chicks past the exam room windows. Their strut signals assurance that they will not be hunted this week. Maybe just a drumstick or chicken is in order when we are scolded to stay away and view family and friends as accomplices in this covid drama. While news of vaccines excite the masses, the reality is that they don’t kick in for months and so holidays will be dramatically different this year.

For patients under treatment, there has been no travel to see friends, family, even grandchildren for nine long months. The loss of connection is physical, emotional and psychological. Some reminiscence, recalling Thanskgivings past with family around the table, football on the TV and the scent of cooking, all creating memories to hold near at times like this.

My mother laid a large festive table with extended family for over fifty years and we frankly took the tradition for granted. No one missed as we made our way to that cozy home in Philly. In a nearby town, we were lucky to also visit my husband’s home where again a large family convened  and sampled my mother-in-law’s famous apple pie. We will all miss our gatherings this week, but may I suggest holding onto one tradition from your past? For us it will be pie.

Surely we could forgo the calories The deliberate preparation, rolling dough, slicing and seasoning sending photos proudly to his sisters, (It is my husband baking it!) are a way to keep the bond strong and the feeling loving. I also enjoy gifting apple pies to my patients each year. Many cannot make a dinner and none will travel. The holidays are disrupted plenty with cancer therapy.  What surprises me about this small gesture is the impact. Harvey who lives alone, sat in the wheelchair holding the pie and cried, Janice and her husband were thrilled with the treat, Eleanor is alone now with family dispersed and she said how hard it was to be alone but the pie helped. Others thanked me long after Christmas season had passed- so moved were they by this gesture. Was it the store bought pie? Hardly.  It was recognizing the sacrifices they were making with their diagnosis and that we will all be making this year because of covid.

A pie cannot heal wounds, disappointments or illness. But the gesture of a kindness from you to another this season will touch their heart and create its own celebration. Be brave and reach out, thankful for your own abiity to bring holiday cheer to someone. Even a hand made ornament or a card will brighten a day.

Thank you to my pie- making mother and mother-in-law, both long passed, whose memory remains and reaches out to remind us that the doing is not busyness or effort. It is and always will be love, pure love. Happy Thanksgiving to my wonderful,  generous readers. The turkey may be smaller this year, the guests fewer and if the wine is gone, admit that you drank it all, but you can preserve the wonder of memories and just maybe create a new one.