Steve buddy you made my day!!!!! 

It's great to hear from you and your words are inspiring as always to all of us. Get strong, get well and have a wonderful Christmas good buddy because you sure deserve it.
I'm so happy you're well enough to talk to us

It's great to hear from you and your words are inspiring as always to all of us. Get strong, get well and have a wonderful Christmas good buddy because you sure deserve it.
I'm so happy you're well enough to talk to us
Hello to all! I have been unable to post til now and I apologize but have been fighting the good fight with the love and support of this community. I refuse to focus on the negative aspects as this is not only counter-productive to ones own health but is also at disagreement with what God's word says about breathing live into a negative by dwelling on it.
This is the season when we all celebrate the birth of Jesus and whether we call it Christmas or whatever, it is the one time a year when people seem to be a little kinder to others and a bit more forgiving, I know it is true of me. So whatever you call it, allow this special time of the year to bring you joy and happiness for no matter what your current state you find yourself, there are always thousands (millions?) more who have it harder than we do. I know I have to remind myself of that a lot.
I am amazed at the life this thread has shown but that is a testament to the level of love and care for each other that is truly and sadly too rare these days. I feel I have come to know some of you personally and can say without hesitation, that I say that with thankfulness in my heart. Yes, we do have a choice in life - As long as we breathe, we have a choice to choose to call it a good day by dwelling on the positives. Or we can choose to allow ourselves to become so mired in the mud of life that we hardly see anything else.
So yes, I choose not only life but thankfulness. And I will do so as long as God allows me to be alive! I refuse to accept an early out just because it may seem like the easy way. Life was not designed to be easy but as I have found out personally, it is not until the true testing times of life occur do we find whether our faith is real or just words.
In the Christian Bible, NIV, Hebrews chapter 11 verse 1 says it all very well to my thinking: "Now faith is the assurance that what we hope for will come about and the certainty that what we cannot see exists."
My ability and access to you wonderful friends is limited for now due to health and location but be assured, you are all in my hearts and prayers. I can say without hesitation or care what anyone else thinks that for the love and care you have shown, how can I not love you back?
Have a blessed and joyful Christmas Season! And as per my quoted definition of faith is above, I will say I have faith I will be back on again sooner rather than later!
Steve
