Thanksgiving is just around the corner. It’s my favorite holiday. A time when my wife and I gather together family, friends and acquaintances who have nowhere else to go, to share the camaraderie and joy the holiday encourages. It is an opportunity for each of us to give thanks for the goodness in our lives and the lessons life has afforded us during the previous year.

All of which brings me to a recent experience that dramatically affected me and taught me two extremely important lessons. One; that there is a world of difference between knowing something in your head and feeling it in your heart. Two; that there are many different ways to say "I love you". I already knew both of those, intellectually, but it is another thing to hear it in the pit of your stomach and to become aware of it, emotionally.

Initially, it was only supposed to be minor surgery. But, when I woke in a state of semi-consciousness, with the surgical staff obviously anxious and upset, and a cardiologist hanging over me, I knew something was very wrong. Only later did I discover that, after going under the anesthetic, there were radical changes on the heart monitor and my blood pressure dropped dramatically. The immediate assumption was that I had suffered a heart attack. Fortunately that was not the case. Nevertheless, it left me with a deep appreciation for the fact that I was alive, and for the people in my life who obviously cared.

Consequently, this Thanksgiving I plan to give thanks for both the fact that I am alive and well, and for all the people who are important to me. I also plan to take life a little more seriously, and to slow down long enough to hear the I love you’s in the world, and to thank:

The surgeon who called throughout the weekend to check on my well-being.

The physician’s assistant who said "I never realized just how much you meant to me until this happened".

The cardiologist whose way of showing his concern was to say "You’re going to get rid of that gut".

The special person who, the night before, celebrated my birthday by having a special dinner for me.

The friends who, two days later, shared a birthday meal with me that the hostess assured us was cooked with love.

The daughter and her family who constantly checked on me, from the moment she heard about it.

The son and daughter-in-law who were both out of town and unaware of what had happened, but who rarely ever end a call to me without saying "I love you".

Numerous other dear individuals who inadvertently learned about the event and showed their concern.

The woman I’ve lived with and loved for over 47 years, who accepted my irritability and disgruntled behavior for the next 24 hours without complaining, but with considerable fear, concern and kindness.

Lastly, the others who are very special to me, whom I hold dear, and whom I need to more frequently remind that I care.

No matter how it was expressed, I heard "I love you", in the words, the deeds, the fear, the concern and the emotions that were shared with me that weekend. I heard it in my head, but, more importantly, I felt it in my heart.

I hope each of you can learn from my story, without ever having to experience it. Even more, I hope that, this Thanksgiving, you will make the effort to hear the message "I love you" from everyone surrounding you, no matter how they may express it. And that, most of all, you will feel it in your heart and it will cause you to want to share your own feelings of love with everyone for whom you care.

Happy Holidays!

Dr. Ed Reitman is a clinical psychologist, practicing in Houston. He has authored two books, has been published extensively in medical journals, and has written numerous articles in regional and national magazines. He appears regularly on television and radio, and accepts frequent speaking engagements. His latest book, “Hungry For Love,” is available from Barnes & Noble and Amazon.com.