Thursday, November 22, 2007

Giving Thanks

On this day on which we are traditionally expected to enumerate the things for which we are thankful, I'm thankful most of all for being alive and functional (physically and mentally) and able to write these words.

From my childhood in the tenements and housing projects of the Bronx, including the abuse (physical, verbal, and emotional) my mother and I endured at the hands of my stepfather, through my mother's death just before my fifteenth birthday, through dropping out of college at age twenty (I did eventually go back), through being diagnosed HIV positive in 1994, and most recently through being unexpectedly diagnosed with colon cancer, it sometimes feels as if my life has been an uninterrupted succession of blows. But I have weathered them and am still standing, and have realized that I am a much stronger person than I had ever imagined I could be. I have even achieved my adolescent dreams of being a writer and being loved, so I suppose I could even count myself lucky. I definitely count myself as grateful.

I'm also grateful to everyone who sent their good wishes for my speedy recovery and return to health, both privately and via this blog. The outpouring of support has been very heartening and moving. I still have a long road to travel--although the removal of the tumor from my colon was successful, the cancer has spread to my liver, so once I recover from my colon surgery (which they tell me I am doing much more quickly than expected), I will need to start chemotherapy, which is a very frightening prospect. But this ordeal has reminded me that many people care about me, and the knowledge that I am not alone will help me stay strong.

Thank you all, and have a wonderful Thanksgiving.

14 comments:

Geoffrey Philp said...

Stay strong, Reginald.

Blessings,
Geoffrey

Robert said...

I wish you well on your health, Reginald. I'm grateful for your poetry and also for your blog, one of the rare ones that's both generous and deeply thoughtful.

Jonathan said...

Hang in there, Reginald!

WS Poetry said...

All the very best.

Mark Granier said...

And the same to you Reginald, one of the net's rare voices, lucid, candid, passionate and beautifully intelligent. Keep at it and get well soon. We need you.

Andrew Shields said...

May you heal, Reginald, may you get well.

RC said...

Only the best to you,Reginald.

Hedgie said...

Best wishes for your health and recovery.

Reginald Harris said...

We are thankful for you and your work (poetry, essays, blog....) Very best wishes to you!

A.H. said...

I have removed the Pound post, having said my piece, but have read your reflections--and thank you for them. I hope that you are recovering, feeling better, and creating poetry. I shall read your "Fata Morgana" rather than make war upon the Knights of the Silliman Round Table. That will be far more useful. I send you hermetic thoughts for healing.

Paul Saxton said...

Best wishes Reginald!

Capt. Crunch said...

I've been reading your blog with much interest for several months. Wish you a speedy recovery!

subot said...

Sorry to hear about what you are going through, Reginald, but thankful as ever for your thoughtful and lively work. Best wishes for your health and strength in the coming weeks and months. --Suzanne B.

皓皓 said...

活動 環保袋 網頁設計 中古機械買賣