Happy Thanksgiving, Grandpa!

November 20th is always a bittersweet day. Eighteen years ago, my Grandpa passed away after a four year battle with prostate cancer. I started to write that the cancer took so much from him, as cancer does. After all, it took his physical strength. Ultimately, his life. But then I stopped, because that was all it took. In the four years and countless nights I spent on his couch, I never once saw it affect his spirit. His laugh may have been softer, but it was hearty. His arms may have been black and blue from blood transfusions, but his veins ran red with resilience. His hugs may have been weaker, but they were full of love. The type of love that brightens every grand daughter's smile and reminds her she will always have a safe haven. The type of love Grandma still talks about.

Of course, November 20th always falls around Thanksgiving, and every year, when I reflect on Grandpa's passing, I'm reminded how blessed I am. He was a coal miner, and he moved his family to Ohio so they could have better. He and his wife raised four wonderful children (though his wife would say she did most of the raising and may question how wonderful they are from time to time), one of whom I'm lucky enough to call my dad, a man who is excited to pray with me every morning on the way to work. A man who said the other day, "Anna, if your Grandpa could see you, he wouldn't believe it."

I hope that's the case, but Grandpa set a really high standard. He didn't live his life for himself; he lived it for his family, for those around him. Because of that, I've had the opportunities that I've had. How do I follow in his footsteps and serve others who haven't been given those same opportunities? That's a really big question, and it's one I'm not fully prepared to answer, except that I think it's this lifelong pursuit with a whole lot of missteps. I do know this. If my life is centered around me, rather than others, and ultimately Jesus, I will accomplish much less.

This Thanksgiving, I'm grateful for so much. The strong friendships that were built in business school over such a short period of time, but that will not be quickly lost. This job with so many smart people that allows me the opportunity to showcase both my ping pong and pie-eating skills. The people I've met who have made the transition much easier. And as always, more than anything, I'm grateful for a family who reminds me the value of persevering through adversity and of loving those around you selflessly. With that, I'm going to spend Thanksgiving eating food other people have made for me. No worries, though, I'll bring the wine. And a whole lot of laughter.