I am very thankful today for many things, but mostly for the blessing that my niece Joan is healthy. Last year at this time she was going through chemotherapy for breast cancer. That's a very difficult but necessary part of the treatment to kill breast cancer -- I went through the same protocol ten years ago.

Last February after finishing treatment Joan slid into respiratory distress, was hospitalized and put on a respirator for three weeks. Each day we sat and prayed while sitting next to her, and one day our prayers were answered -- she opened her eyes and smiled.

It was a difficult road back for her. From being immobile for weeks, she needed to go to rehab and learn to walk again. When she tried to use her walker one day she fell down, and was advised not to get out of her wheelchair. Joan took that as a challenge...

A few weeks ago Joan ran the Marine Corp Marathon...yes, this is the same woman who was using a walker in March. She made up her mind that she would get back on her feet and run...and has she ever!!!

I thank God for her return to good health and all the blessings in my life (big and small!).