What Are You Grateful For?
written by Emma Bartley
Thanksgiving is a day to reflect on what we have and what we are grateful for. I asked my friends and relatives to reflect on what they were thankful for; more specifically, I wanted them to think about what they sometimes forgot about. Here are some responses on small things that people are truly grateful for!
“I forget to be thankful for my job because even though it can be difficult sometimes, I have good coworkers and a good boss that make having a job fun!” -age 16
“I am thankful that I got an opportunity to live in another country and experience the world from that perspective.” -Andy, age 44
“I am thankful for being able to get out of bed in the morning.” -age 16
“I am thankful for the gift of life!” -Sarah
“Something I am thankful for is nature. Waking up in the morning and seeing the sunrise, hearing birds chirp, watching wind blow through tree branches. It is a constant in a world that changes so often, and it brings me peace and comfort in times of stress.” -Jessica, age 16
“I am grateful for the giggles of my daughters when they are getting along and goofing off.” -Amy, age 45
“I’m thankful for my coaches because they push me to be the best every day, and they are always believing in me.” -Ellen, age 16
“I’m thankful for my health. I don’t appreciate being healthy until I’m sick or injured; then I quickly realize how wonderful it is to just feel “fine”.” Michael, age 46
“I am thankful for lemonade and tea and the moon. They are comfort things to me when I’m alone.” -age 16
“I am thankful for my health and the support I receive from people around me.” -age 50
“I am thankful for my whole family. I love them so so much.” -Maeve, age 4
“I am thankful for my long hot showers. I take them for granted.” -Gracie, age 14
“As the weather gets colder and the sun goes down earlier, I have realized how thankful I am for the sun, light, beautiful weather, etc. I live a life where I am able to go outside and enjoy my surroundings/environment I live in, and now that the cold prohibits certain activities that you could enjoy or simply being able to take a walk and feeling comfortable. I really miss it.” -age 16
“I am thankful for my passion and love for art because it is the biggest part of my life.” -Kennedy, age 17
“I am so very grateful for God’s gift of blue skies and bright sunshine as proof that His love will continually lift us up to better places.” -Amy
“I am thankful for musicals from the 1950’s!” -age 16
“When I open my eyes each morning and see the detail of my bedroom and the face of my beautiful wife of many years, I whisper a prayer of gratitude to God. Having fought and won a 12 years battle with diabetic retinopathy, I experienced periods of complete blindness. Sight is one sense that I will never again take for granted!” -Tom, age 69
-I am thankful for the children who help without being asked, show kindness to strangers, are grateful for their blessings, and share/show their faith even when it’s not “cool” to do so.” -Amy
“I’m thankful that my room faces away from the sun so it is already dark when I get home from school so I can take naps easily” -age 16
“I’m thankful for the opportunity to get to know and be inspired by my Church’s Father John Miles. He challenged me to be a better person and mother and he encouraged me when I was struggling in my vocation as a working mom. His homilies reminded me of what’s important in life – to build the kingdom of God and be Christ’s hands and feet in the world around me.” -Anne, age 39
“I’m thankful for chocolate!” -Janice
“I am thankful for the swim team and my coaches. Most of the time I complain about how hard it is or not wanting to go, but it has taught me a lot and has helped me meet tons of new people.” -Katherine, age 16
“I am thankful for trees because they give me oxygen.” -Patrick, age 9
“Most of us have heard the phrase, ‘A smile costs nothing, but gives so much.’ It’s very true. Whether it’s a smile from my children, a smile from a stranger in the car next to me at a stoplight, or a smile from someone in the grocery store, smiles are the best way of nonverbal communication. It communicates so much without ever saying a word.” -Anne, age 46
“I am thankful for my toothbrush. It’s something small and it cleans my mouth so I don’t lose my teeth!” -Sarah, age 11
“I am thankful for the ability to live in the United States.” -Devin, age 16
“I’m thankful for role models! I am thankful that there are those that are put in our life that teach us the best practices for living life.” -Derrick
“I am thankful for my faith and the opportunity to be a part of a loving community.” -Angela
“I’m super thankful for the peaceful sound of my husband lightly snoring and sleeping soundly during the silence of the night. He works hard for his family, his office, and the parishoners at our church. He also works hard daily to use the gifts God has given him to serve others and to grow God’s kingdom on Earth. So in the silence of the night to hear him sleeping soundly brings me great peace and great joy as I am reminded of what a blessing he is to me, to my family, and to others!” -Mistianna
“I’m thankful for the gifts God has given to me!” -Carly, age 17
“I am thankful for my cats, even Angelica who pees on my bedspread to punish me for going out of town, for their affection and the laughter they bring me.” -Sarah
“I’m thankful for the heater in my car.” -age 16
“I am thankful for the opportunity to be a pilot. I really enjoy the freedom and focus of flying (and a quicker way to come to KY to see family!).” -age 47
“I am thankful for my parents’ unconditional love for me.” -Nicole, age 16
“Every time I turn on the shower, I am thankful to have clean and (usually) hot water delivered with a turn of the knob. We forget that such a simple thing is a luxury that most people do not have.” -Amy
“I am thankful for freedom and the opportunities in my life. We are so blessed that we can have amazing experiences and discover who we really are.” -Alayna, age 16
“I am grateful to work in a school that celebrates and embraces the performing arts and allows me to literally live my dream every time I come to school….I am grateful for the looks on the parent’s faces when they see their kid on stage for the first time and the look on the kid’s faces when they hear that first round of applause.” -age 52
“I’m thankful to God for saving me.” -Bryan, age 30
“I am thankful for warm fuzzy socks! I don’t know what I would do without them.” -Sofia, age 17
“I am thankful for Jesus and the gift of salvation.” -Brenda
“I’m thankful for quality water.” -Tucker
“I’m thankful for my health because I got injured this past year and I realized that I’m really blessed to be able to run every day and play around outside or go hiking. I haven’t been able to do those things for the past half year.” -John Paul
“I am thankful for the kindness of strangers, for the simple things kind people do…offering to give up their seat on a bus or train when it is packed, the person who offers to put your bag in the overhead compartment in the plane, when someone offers to help you with your luggage at baggage claim, when someone helps an elderly person at the airport with a smile and kind eyes. I am thankful for the people who smile and for the people who make you laugh.” -Jennifer
