Gratitude & Reflection

❤️✨

Gratitude & Reflection ❤️✨

As the calendar closes on November, we turn the final pages of the season designated for focused gratitude. For a Sickle Cell Warrior, thankfulness isn't a single event; it is a daily, defiant practice—a deliberate focus on the light, even when living under the shadow of chronic illness.

This month, I invited you to join me in a deep reflection. Now, as November comes to a close, let's look back at this journey that connected my past self, my future self, and the resilient warrior standing here today.

The Wisdom of the Past: Gratitude for the Hard Lessons

To truly appreciate where we are now, at the end of this month, we must honor where we have been. This is the message I carry for my younger self—a letter of thanks to Dear Past Me: Gratitude for the Hard Lessons.

I look back at the battles I survived this year—the crises, the misdiagnoses, the moments of advocacy when my voice shook but did not break—and I realize those were the defining moments. I am thankful for the sheer resilience those hard lessons instilled. Past Me, you taught me that brokenness does not mean defeat; it means rebuilding, stronger and wiser.

The Hope for Tomorrow: Finding Gratitude in Every Season

Looking forward, I find gratitude in the anticipation of strength and stability, sending a prayer forward to Dear Future Me: Finding Gratitude in Every Season.

My hope is that you, Future Me, remember the strength it took to navigate this past November. Be thankful for the powerful lessons we are taking away from this month: the importance of rest, the comfort of a strong support system, and the efficacy of current treatments. The Warrior spirit we have been honing throughout this year will never fade.

**Counting My Blessings: A Warrior’s Thankful Heart**

Bringing this reflection back to the reality of the last thirty days, the practice of **Counting My Blessings: A Warrior’s Thankful Heart** became essential. When illness makes the world feel small and difficult, shifting focus to what we **have**—not what we lack—is revolutionary.
My blessings this November were distinct and deeply personal:
**A Victory Milestone:** This month, I had the profound honor of celebrating my **40th birthday**. Given the harsh statistics often quoted for Sickle Cell Warriors—with many not expected to reach 18 or 25—reaching four decades is nothing short of a miracle. I am grateful for every year, every lesson, and for the chance to stand as an example that we **can** live beyond the predictions and truly thrive.
**A New Resource for the Community:** On November 13th, my birthday, I was thrilled to release my first resource: the **WSO Warriors Speak Out Wellness Manual**. This e-book is located right here on the **warriorsspeakout.org** website, and I am deeply grateful for the opportunity to share the knowledge and experience gained over these 40 years to help others on their Warrior journey. I would love to see all the love and support from my community!
**My Dedicated Care Team** and **The Power of Community:** The professionals, fellow Warriors, and loved ones who provide the anchors that held me steady through the month's storms.

✨ Operation Snuggles: Spreading Hope During the Holidays

As we shift our focus from personal reflection to community action, I am immensely proud to share the launch of this year's Operation Snuggles Expansion of the Holiday Elf Service!

This initiative is close to my heart. We are collecting items to package Care Kits for Warriors, especially children, who will be in the hospital during the holidays. Our goal is to ensure they receive a comforting "snuggle" when they need it most.

**How You Can Help:**
**Deadline:** Please make all donations by **December 22nd** so we have time to package and deliver the kits.
**Gift Registry:** Selected items can be found easily on our **Amazon Gift Registry** (Link here).
**Warrior Store:** You can also purchase a bear individually or

in bulk directly from the **Warrior Store** (Link here).
Together, we can turn gratitude into action and bring light to those spending their holidays fighting in the hospital.

Reflecting on What November Has Taught Me So Far

As we officially close the book on November, let’s synthesize these lessons. This month taught me the power of perspective: I realized that the strength I looked for in Future Me and the lessons I praised in Past Me are both alive and active in the present moment. This November, I learned to surrender the illusion of perfect control over my health while simultaneously taking fierce control over my self-care, boundaries, and voice. The celebration of my 40th birthday and the release of my first resource only amplified the gratitude I hold for the support systems and the resilience that pulls me through.

Ending the Year with Hope: A Look Ahead to December

Now, as the calendar turns to December, we close this chapter of Gratitude and Reflection and look forward. After a month spent counting blessings, celebrating survival, and initiating a mission of kindness, my heart is filled with hope—hope for peaceful holidays and hope for what we can achieve as a community in the final month of the year.

December will be a time to embody that hope, wrapping up the year with intentions for stability, joy, and giving back.

What is your greatest reason for gratitude this month, and what hope are you carrying into December?

Share your reflection in the comments below!

Gratitude and Reflection - A Warrior’s Conversation Across Time