Roberto D.'s Essay

Living with CF has taught me gratitude. Gratitude is born when someone realizes he is not self-sufficient. The life of a person with CF is fertile soil for cultivating such awareness, an awareness of dependence which ultimately produces the fruit of gratitude toward others. In my own life with CF, the many needs that have arisen have made me aware of all the people I have to be thankful for. When thinking of my medical needs, doctors and pharmacists and surgeons and a host of others come to mind; without their self-gift of time and dedication, I would not have the pills to digest food, the aerosols to bring healing to my lungs, or the hospitalizations that result in my betterment. When I think of my deeper needs, my mind turns to those who never run out of love and support, to those who have chosen to be co-workers with me in the fight against CF. I find myself grateful first to God, Who gives all good gifts, and to my friends and family, who bear the long hospital days and nights at my side with patience and cheer. All these needs I could never fulfill myself; CF has opened my eyes opened to the marvelous ways in which beautiful people make my life as full and rich as it can be. And this, thankfully, makes living with CF easier. Living with CF has taught me gratitude, and gratitude has taught me to live with CF.