Thanksgiving update
Fall colors in the marsh
Before the Thanksgiving weekend slides into history, and all the leftovers are consumed, I want to post an overdue update.
Sam and Dave are doing wonderfully! I continue to feel better than I have in a decade and my body is slowly adjusting to the regimen of necessary medications. At my last checkup, my bronchoscopy showed zero rejection or any infection. The message from Duke has been “keep doing what you’re doing.” All good news on the health front!
I appreciate how many of you have been checking in over the last few months. No news has been good news! In these slow days of quarantine, I have filled my days with exercise, lots of cooking and reading books by the pound, but not too much writing.
My favorite recipe has been Chicken with caramelized shallots from the NYT Cooking app. It has been a wonderful inspiration for new ideas.. My favorite books have been The Searcher and The Witch Elm by the Irish writer Tana French. She is an amazing writer with incredible range. My favorite exercise has been long walks while listening to “The Daily” podcast. Also, I have really enjoyed my new Tonal machine for strength training. It’s an amazing interactive system, check it out @ www.tonal.com.
Thanksgiving has always been my favorite holiday. I love the non-commercial aspect as well the spirit of gratitude. Despite the very real challenges we have all faced in 2020, there is still so much to be grateful for.
It’s been a wonderful and delicious four day weekend filled with great foods and extra helpings of gratitude. Although there was no traditional family gathering this year, we felt connected by cooking the same family recipes in our respective kitchens.
While the turkey, cornbread andouille stuffing, collard greens, sweet potatoes, and shiitake gravy filled my belly, what filled my heart was gratitude. Much of the day I was overwhelmed with gratitude for my donor family. Though I will very likely never know their identity, nor they mine, they gave me the ultimate gift: more life! I will literally be forever grateful!
Local organic turkey from McClellenville SC
I also reflect each Thanksgiving on my ancestors, especially those I never had the honor of meeting. We all stand on the shoulders of our ancestors. Some of us are lucky enough to have known three or four generations back and call recount the family stories of the struggles overcome. I never had that privilege, but don’t miss the opportunity to give thanks for their sacrifices that made my life possible.
2020 has been a year like none other and we are all ready for it to be over. We are all hopeful 2021 will bring more of a sense normalcy back to our world. I will also look back at this year as one of the most significant in my life. Despite the obvious of being able to breathe fully, deeply and efficiently again, I have connected with so many of you on a deeper level than ever before and have felt a big shift in my priorities that I have welcomed.
Thank you for all of your love and support.
Peter