Thanksgiving is of course an American holiday, but I think most of us don't have to look too hard to find things to be thankful for.

in my apartment block, I live with people who have a lot of physical and mental disabilities.

My neighbour Pedro broke his neck as a young man in a car accident.
A few months ago his wheelchair tipped up and he broke his neck again.

His hands, which were normally functioning before, now are not very responsive or useful at all.

Simple things like getting out of bed, lifting himself from wheelchair to car, or chair to his scouter, or dealing with the bathroom are now very hard to manage without help.

The odds of having the same thing happen twice are astronomical - but it happened.

A life, again, changed in an instant.

But...his attitude inspires me

He's happy to be alive and to not have too many health problems.
He's happy to have a car and a scooter.

He's happy to have a loving family and friends.

He's grateful to have a clean and safe place to live at an affordable price, and he's glad to have access to home help and medical assistance.

When I get down about stuff, I think of P and some of the others here who are doing it even tougher than he is.

I have a lot to be thankful for - and I'm grateful to share it with you guys, and especially here to share the joy that comes from living clean and sober.

I hope everyone has a great Thanksgiving.

Please - be thankful