We are on Nantucket to celebrate Thanksgiving in our traditional manner. Since we are a relatively new family, Joann and Jim having been married in 1994, it is not a tradition that has a long history. Of course, we have a big obstacle to this being a tradition with a long future. We are very glad that are here to extend it for this year. Spending another Thanksgiving with Jim and Linda Cravens, Frank and Gail Berardesca, Bob and Susan Starbuck, and Ken and Carter Dunn, and their families, is a very special event for us.

We have a lot to be thankful for. That we are all here. Joann has been brave and undaunted in her battle with lung cancer. We have had wonderful support and love from our families and friends, and prayers and other expressions of support from people all over the world. It is important to know that people care.

It is difficult to enumerate our thanks to family and friends. That one name would appear before another gives pause that perhaps it would seem we value one more than another. It has been a lesson in life to become aware of the caring and support extended to us. Joann's sisters and brothers and their spouses have all been wonderful. Judy and Jim Barba, Janet Angelis, Ginny and Ben Bishop, Jon Ives, and Jeff and Lynn Ives - thank you.. Jim's family has been equally supportive - Marie Shaughnessy, Mary Frances Shaughnessy and Ron Webster, Rosmarie Shaughnessy, and Ed Shaughnessy and Elena Valussi - thank you, also.

We have received tremendous medical care at Albany Medical Center. We are thankful for the doctors, nurses, and support staff - many who we know and many more who we don't know. We are thankful for the health insurance provided by the MVP Health Plan.

We are thankful for the miracle of Larissa. She is a wonderful gift to us. She arrived into such a stressful situation and has thrived. Larissa is a Russian name which means "cheerful" - Larissa is certainly that. She already has an enchanting smile that brings joy and cheerfulness to everyone who sees it. We hope that she keeps that trait through a long and fruitful life.

Many old and new friends have helped in the many weeks now that Joann and Larissa have been home from the hospital. We say, "Thank you" to Cindy Pascaretti, Joan Singer, Anita and Michael Shamansky, Lowell Thing, Sue and Ed Roeser, Helena Phillips, Michelle Habeeb, Sue Rodgers, and others whom I have forgotten. And certainly, I don't forget Jennifer Giordano, our niece, who has been a wonderful help, even staying overnight at times to do Larissa's nighttime feedings. Thanks, Jen.

Our business has managed to survive though the extraordinary efforts of Wendy Schollenberger. She has kept the office functioning and managed to fulfill our committments to clients, who have also been understanding and patient. Before we discovered Joann's illness, Wendy was already weighted down with Ward's struggle with prostate cancer. We are thankful that we have been able to rely on her.

And we are thankful for every day, although it is easy to overlook being thankful every day. Looking back on 1998, it has been a year of experiences we could never have imagined. We ask that you continue your prayers for us, and give thanks for the miracles we have already received.

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