Thanksgiving? No, ThanksLIVING!

What is one of the worst habits, the one that causes disappointment, conflict, loss and dis-ease of every kind? I have recorded many cancer patients’ responses to that question. The answers range from laziness to blasphemy against God. Some speculated the worst was procrastination. Others thought it to be criticism. All good choices.

But the absolute worst habit is ingratitude—the lack of thankfulness and appreciation, our poor return for blessings and kindness received.

The looks on my kids’ faces when I got the eviction notice…

“It was interesting seeing the different reactions of my kids when I was handed the eviction notice. My 13-year-old daughter walked out of the room and didn’t say a word. My 8-year-old daughter asked, ‘What’s an eviction notice?’ My 2 1/2-year-old son stuttered trying to say, ‘M-mo-more Cheerios.’”

That’s Ruth Ann, single mother of three and a breast cancer patient. It’s a chilly Michigan Sunday in March. In the middle of breakfast, as she was getting her children ready for church, she heard an unexpected knock on her apartment door.

What were my first words after the surgeon said, “I’d give you about 30 days to live”?

It was September of 1984 when I was first diagnosed with lung cancer. After removing my left lung and going through radiation therapy, I thought I was out of the woods. But four months later, a lump about the size of half a grapefruit appeared on my neck. Surgery was scheduled. The surgeon opened and, after exploring the area, determined it was too dangerous to proceed. The next morning, he came into my little alcove in the intensive care unit and said, “Greg, the tiger is out of the cage.