Finding Thankfulness
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The Castillo Family
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The Castillo Family
This is a hard post to start.
In a year like this, how do I focus on thankfulness?
Cancer changes you. It shifts the way you see everything—your priorities, your relationships, your faith, even the quiet moments you used to rush past. It forces you to look at life differently, to notice God’s hand in places you never paid attention to before.
When I was talking with my mom about gratitude, she reminded me of an old song: “Count your blessings, name them one by one, and it will surprise you what the Lord has done.” She challenged me—not just to think about my blessings, but to actually name them. To speak them out loud. To write them down. To let them anchor me when the waves get heavy.
So here is my list for today—simple, honest, and real:
• A God who loves me, even when I struggle to love myself. A God who carries me, provides for me, and meets me in the moments when I cannot see a way through.
• A husband who loves me relentlessly. Who stands beside me in every fear and every breakdown. Who chooses me—especially when I’m at my ugliest or weakest.
• My children, who stretch me, exhaust me, and still manage to bring pure joy into the darkest days. Their laughter, their innocence, their little arms around my neck—they remind me that life still holds beauty.
• Our parents and family, who consistently show up. Who encourage, support, and love us without needing to be asked. Who fill in the gaps with tenderness and strength.
• Friends who have become family. The ones who check in, who sit with us, who show up with love in practical, tangible ways.
• Helpers—so many of you— who have cooked meals, cleaned our house, cared for our kids, driven me where I needed to go, written cards, sent gifts, and lifted burdens we could not carry alone. Your kindness has been a lifeline.
• Laughter. The unexpected moments of silliness that cut through the heaviness and remind me that joy isn’t gone—it just shows up differently right now.
• Prayer warriors. Those who intercede when I don’t have the strength. Your prayers have carried us more than you know.
This season is long. It is heavy. It is not the path I would have chosen.
But even here—in the middle of uncertainty, fear, and waiting—I can still see God’s faithfulness woven through every detail.
And today, that is enough to make me thankful.
For His Glory,
Elly
Ps - this is a picture of my mom and me at art therapy at chemo yesterday. This is something I have been wanting to do, but haven’t been at infusion at the right time. It was fun and kept my mind busy!
Ps - this is a picture of my mom and me at art therapy at chemo yesterday. This is something I have been wanting to do, but haven’t been at infusion at the right time. It was fun and kept my mind busy!
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