Most thankful for: Readers share who, what they appreciate this season
| Wednesday, Nov 25 2009 07:14 PM
Last Updated Wednesday, Nov 25 2009 07:16 PM
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Casey Christie / The Californian Ronald and Priscilla Bennett have been married for over 55 years. They are thankful for being together so long.
Heather and Obie Douglas were married July 18, 2009 at Olive Knolls Church. Heather's mother, Sherrill Hewes, is seated in front of the bride and groom, surrounded by family.
We asked you, our readers, to put into words what you are most thankful for this Thanksgiving Day. Serious. Thoughtful. Funny. Your letters captured a wide variety of human emotion and experience. The response was overwhelming. Here we share a sample of the reflections from our community.
“O give thanks to the Lord ... for He is good” best expresses how thankful I am for my 55-plus years of marriage to my beloved Priscilla, that we together have been in all 50 of the United States, lived in New Zealand for 14 months, led tours to Israel, Jordan, Egypt and most European countries, including the Oberammergau Passion Play twice.
That we have been blessed with five children and their spouses who have given us 13 grandchildren and five great-grandchildren. That I led 1,000-plus miles of backpack treks for church youth and adults in California and New Mexico for 25 years, and my beloved Priscilla and I hiked together to the summit of 12,441-foot Baldy Mountain in New Mexico. I have been a Lutheran pastor for 50 years, and I am most thankful that all this happened prior to my beloved’s Parkinson’s disease within the past two years.
— Ronald C. Bennett
Hello, my name is Sherrill Hewes! I’m so thankful that my life was saved 16 years ago! I was teaching my daughter Heather, and my nephew, Mark Jr., how to dive on July 7, 1993, and I hit the bottom of the pool and am now a quadriplegic. They were 7 and 8 (plus my nephew Chase, 3 at the time) and by the grace of God I’m alive today. I’ve had my struggles, but thankfully my Lord and my family have been right there with me. Some tragedies can hurt a family; this only made ours stronger! Life is good, no regrets!
We’re now faced with my Mom going through breast cancer a second time. With our faith in Christ and the love our family has, we’ll get through this too. She was cancer free for 11 years and we truly were thankful for that!
Thank you to my family and most of all to you Jesus!
— Sherrill Hewes
As a teacher an annual writing project is “I Am Thankful,” where my students brainstorm three ways in which they are thankful. Of course, with a sincere request, things like video games and candy are off the list. My students earnestly come up with three things they are thankful for. It’s my favorite project of the year. My hope is that they will read their story aloud at their Thanksgiving gathering.
But, as we start this writing project every year, I can’t help but to create my own list in my mind. This year I thought I’d write it down like I ask my students to do.
Where do you begin ... with a global perspective or the smallest detail like a phone call from your kids away at school? I become overwhelmed at the thought of thanksgiving. My thanksgiving is directly offered to Jesus Christ. Why have I been so blessed in my life? I feel the stream of sunshine come through my kitchen window and I’m thankful for a new day.
My husband is the love of my life (most of the time :) ) where we often reminisce about the days raising our two great kids and dream about their futures as they finish college. We reminisce and dream because we can’t afford to do much of anything else. (Save your money, parents!)
Neighbors, family, both near and far, and lifelong friends are precious to me. The people I have the privilege to associate with each day on my school campus, the parents, staff and mostly assuredly my students.
However, all in all, my Thanksgiving is wrapped up in the beauty of this world, the intricate details of a human life and the precious time we have on Earth. May we all take a moment and pinpoint “three” things that we are most thankful for this Thanksgiving season.
P.S. — Sharing these will make great conversation starters at your meal this year.
— Sarah Bootman Barker
Most thankful thoughts ...
The Ten Commandments plus the Beatitudes, which are explained a the Blessed Attitudes from the Holy Writ were the guidelines for my mother. Four of her sons were in World War II and returned home with an honorable discharge from the U.S. military in the 1940s. Her gravestone carries this message. Her children arise and call her blessed.
— Opal M. Brown
Oftentimes I am quite a pest and I annoy the heck out of my family, yet I am so thankful to have someone to pester! I am blessed to still be able to live with mom and have food to be able to cook. These days we often skip meals at the table (which I hate) but I am so blessed to have a table, in case we decide to eat together.
I think that my whole family, though we don’t express it enough, is very thankful for each other, except for the fact my sister just got everybody sick!! It is God who deserves the most thanks for providing for my family!
— Kelly Fischer
I am a very thankful young lady, but it never hurts to give a certain somebody the appreciation of thankfulness. I have a 20-year-old brother who is the world to me. Just like any other little sister we might not show the love or tell each other just how much we care, even though deep down inside we really do. I’m thankful for him being the perfect big brother any little sister deserves.
His respectfulness toward me, him just being there in general, and most of all him being one of my best friends. If I had a penny for every time I could thank him, I would probably be rich. Which to me, Jesse is all that I need. To wrap it all up, because the list never ends, I’m thankful for Jesse Jimenez, a big brother which all my gratitude and appreciation goes to. With that being said, “thanks Jay for EVERY thing, and I love you.”
— Saleena Jimenez
I am thankful for my dog because she is a good watch dog. I am thankful for my parents because they take care of me. They also help me with my chores. I am thankful for my friends because they’re really nice to me and kind.
— Elliana Laffoon, age 8
I am most thankful for a loving family and a nice school to go to. Also for my football season and that no one got hurt. I am thankful for getting to go to Disneyland for Christmas. I am thankful that my family from Texas made it here safely.
— Kiel Cleveland, age 12
I am most thankful for my job, even if it’s cut me down to only 28 hours a week and rippled me into having to get food stamps, even if my spirit feels broken right now and my husband’s been without a job since March, laid off from the oilfields, even though we struggle daily the electricity just might be off for the holidays. I am thankful I had 37 years with my father before his passing this year.
My precious mother who is always so giving, my children, Cynthia, 21, graduating, making me a first-time grandma soon. Ruben Jr., 20, Little Lion Heart in the Marines. Nathaniel, 19, My Wolverine, working, being responsible. Zabrina, 19, college. Gabriella, 14, my little girly girl. Jose, 12, my sax player. All being intelligent, bringing me laughter through the years, my precious Brady Bunch. I love you all so very much.
— Yesenia Valderrama Lira
After visiting my son who lives in Africa, I am thankful for:
1. Window screens to keep the flies by day, and the mosquitoes by night, out of my little house.
2. Window glass so my house is not dark, when I have to close the metal shutters on the windows in bad weather.
3. Flooring other than dirt, roofing other than thatch where the rats, lizards and insects live.
4. A change of clothes so I have something to wear when I wash the ones I am wearing.
5. A table so I don’t have to squat or bend over to wash my family’s clothes in a pan on the ground.
6. Drinkable water from the faucet, so I don’t have to carry water from the well in my neighbor’s courtyard.
7. Natural gas and electricity, so I don’t have to find wood for cooking out in the bush.
8. Some form of transportation, someone with a vehicle able to take me and my sick baby to see a doctor.
9. Medical care. I am most thankful that not even one of my babies has died.
10. Peace. No shooting, no bombs exploding.
— Judith Bergen
I am most thankful for “contentment.”
Whether it is my state of mind for the moment, or a period in my life, I am thankful for contentment! I admit, it comes and goes! Call me crazy, you won’t be the first!! I hate the feelings of frustrating weight gain, tearfully watching a loved one suffer from illness, insecurity in my relationships, seeing the horrid sadness in many teenagers and watching our economy falter.
So as I relish the moments of sweet contentment in my life, I am truly thankful! Life is not easy. I hope that there are others who can relate!
— Lisa Steele
Of course I am thankful for the love of family and friends and the safety of my children. But, I would have to say that the thing that I am most thankful for is the desire a young couple had to seek a better life for their family so many years ago. Years ago my grandparents came to America with hopes and dreams only for their family to have a better life than they had. My grandmother never learned to speak English, so it kind of surprised me last Christmas when my mother shared with me and my family, my grandmother’s thoughts of this country.
During a conversation mother had with my grandmother before she died, the National Anthem was heard on the television. My grandma told my mom that when she hears that song she is filled with pride to the point of tears, and that she could have not had the life she did had she not come to the United States. I thought to myself, “If it wasn’t for the struggles of that young couple, my family and I would not be able to enjoy the freedoms and opportunities of the this Great Nation.” I thank God that my grandparents thought of me and my family so long ago when they came to America.
— John R. Montez
I wanted to write such a profound Thanksgiving letter that all I had to do was worry about my acceptance speech at the Academy Awards and not forget to thank God and my family for being so supportive. Things such as these do not happen to guys like me, kind of the average guy who makes ends meet, takes the trash out on Wednesday evenings, he tells his wife she is beautiful and he loves her every day, wants his kids to be better in all ways more then he ever was, accepts his shortcomings because his wife accepts them, has friends that have the same shortcomings as he does, and he gets up every day to do the same thing that he usually has done for years and years and in that day-to-day, almost robotic life, he feels overwhelmed with gratitude.
This same man has lost a dear brother this year, has been unemployed for about the same, oversees the financial welfare for another brother, has a disabled daughter and has had his share, more then his share of trials over the years — isn’t life an adventure.
This same man gets up every day thanking God for another day, asking God to help him do his will, and when he doesn’t want to, to forgive him for his rebellious nature. To have a relationship with my higher power, which is God, is a great turnoff to some people, makes no difference to me. God has done for me what I couldn’t do for myself. Being grateful and thankful isn’t a holiday, nor a fleeting feeling, it is a way of life and I love every minute of it!
— Raymond Kearney
I am thankful for my wonderful parents and family who have always supported me, stood by me and shown me the greatest love. I am thankful for my friends, especially my girlfriends, who always provide many laughs and great memories. I am thankful for my job and my wonderful work family. I am thankful for my dogs that bring so much joy to my life.
But most of all, I am thankful for my husband, Travis, who I recently married this past June. He is so hardworking, determined, supporting and loving and I couldn’t be happier to be his wife.
— Katie David
This Thanksgiving I am most thankful for my decision to come to California (from Iowa) to teach at Foothill High School. That decision has made the next 44 years happy. I met my fantastic and fun-loving husband, Larry, at an after-school party my first year at FHS. Our two delightful children, Patrick and Kristin, were born from our marriage. I have the most wonderful circle of friends, many of them former teachers or students at FHS.
Yesterday (Sunday, Nov. 15), as I walked in 68-degree weather, the trees brilliant crimson, orange and gold, the mountains clear and blue, while much of the rest of the country is shivering in snow or just starting winter, I thought again how happy I am to live here. I cherish each sun-filled day, each laugh with friends and family, and eagerly await the birth of two granddaughters in January and February of 2010.
— Elaine Conley
Rather than be anxious for what I don’t have, I am thankful for what I do have. For simple “everyday” miracles like eyesight, oranges and apples growing on a tree, the laughter of a child, the flight of a bird, the scent and beauty of a flower; the inspiring Sierra Mountains to the east and the great ocean to the west. Sitting down to a good meal (with all the trimmings) and a good walk afterward. Enjoying the holidays with family.
Love makes us beautiful. Giving thanks even in the midst of life’s adversity and challenges. Counting my blessings without ... and most importantly, having a relationship with the Creator, being thankful for His Life, Love and Grace ... the never-ending riches within.
— John Bertolucci
There are many things I am thankful for.
God, who loves us so much that he sent his son Jesus to die for us, so that we can have hope of eternal life in Heaven.
I am happy we are free to attend worship services without fear and to the Oildale Church of Christ, where we hear God’s word preached.
My family is such a blessing. Our biological children and our “adopted kids” are all so precious. Our sons, daughter by marriage, grand and greatgrands brighten our lives. They are always there for us.
Odyssey Hospice for the support and care they give my husband. Everyone there is so thoughtful and kind. Callette, Sandra, Vannessa and Chaplin Craig brighten our days with their loving concern.
Our TOPS (Take off pounds Sensibly) Pals at CA218 give us love and support, as do good friends who are like family.
I thank God daily that I still have my wonderful husband, Len, and at 76, with the help of family, friends and Odyssey I can care for him at home.
— Margaret Lee
This Thanksgiving I am most thankful to God for the life he has given me ...
My children, Stevie and Dallas, who have these amazing hearts and carry an unconditional love for me that I may not always deserve. He has given me a wonderful husband, who for the past 12 years, has been my best friend and the greatest father my children could ever dream of. God is good.
God has given me this incredible circle of women who are indescribable. They have taught me to be strong and humble. You know who you are. I am thankful for my Grandma Gracie, even though the stroke has taken her speech over three years ago, she tells us she loves us every day. I am thankful for the faith and hope I have for 2010. I am so ready for it!
Thank You God, Thank You. Thank You.
— Vanessa Calderon
I’m thankful for my co-workers at Kern County Construction Services and we all are thankful for many of the departments we have the opportunity to work with. The crew pools their own money and plans an annual “thank you” breakfast for these folks who help us throughout the year on the various projects.
One thing I have noticed is that the folks who we honor have no clue why, they’re just doing their best always and I guess that’s what sets them apart from what is viewed as the typical county worker. These guys go the extra mile, never with the thought of “it’s not my job.” They are the model of what a county worker should be and what the public would welcome as a non-bureaucratic problem solver.
Yes, I’m thankful for the crew at Construction Services because working together we get to see the county’s best.
— Fred Rodriguez
Thanks to the many art students, Valkyries (student girls club) and counselees I was honored to have assigned to me during 36 happy years I thoroughly enjoyed at Bakersfield HIgh School. (1946-1982) You helped make my life perfect. Thank you! Thank you!
— Pat Patterson
I am most thankful this year for my Mom. She raised me and my brother as a single mother and did the best she could. My mom has stuck by me through my struggles as a young adult and single mother and I can’t tell her how much I love her for that. Thank you mom, I love you.
— Amy Koons
I am most thankful for my Mom and Dad. My Mom who helps to provide for me by taking care of other kids in our home with a family daycare and helping other kids being a foster mom. I am thankful for having sisters and one brother and a grandmother and a grandfather who lives a mile away.
I have loving aunts and uncles too. I am thankful for being able to go to church every Sunday and for learning new Bible verses.
I am thankful for being able to have a feast during the holidays.
— Tiffany Amos, age 8
There are so many things to be thankful for, things that go unnoticed, such as thanks to our military, the men and women who put their lives on the line so we can live in a peaceful country. Not to forget our police force that are out there every day and our firefighters. There are not enough thank yous for them. Being thankful for good health which so many people lack.
I hope this Thanksgiving Day people will pause and think about all these heroes when we are sitting around our dining room tables feasting. All mentioned above are not with their families and friends but protecting us. Thank you.
— Ivy Jean Oliver
I am very thankful for the men and women who work for the City of Bakersfield and County of Kern and support our neighborhoods. They remove the graffiti and bulk litter, pick up trash, gather stray animals, fight fires, police violators, monitor probation, maintain and sweep streets and enforce codes.
Since I am fortunate to have a good job working as a sales representative for Commercial Trade, Inc., and my family is in good health with its material needs met, I have begun to volunteer in small ways.
I have taken advantage of opportunities to participate in neighborhood watch, clean up and graffiti abatement programs, all of which remind me that without the services from the city and county, the areas where we live and work would quickly turn into blighted regions. As a result, I am extremely grateful for all of these public servants.
— Dave Collins
I am most thankful for:
Ellis Island through which my grandparents traveled.
Memories of my parents, other family, friends and beloved pets that departed all too soon.
The love of my high school sweetheart to whom I’ve been married 43 years.
Family values that make me proud to see Heather, Kevin, Bryon and Christy raising their own families.
The excitement and joy when Brett, Michael, Alyssa and Brandon call me Grandma.
Time spent with our adult children.
The tranquility, beauty and serenity of newly fallen snow in Ohio, New Jersey and New Hampshire.
The support of our community that enables our businesses to provide income for our wonderful employees.
The freedom, flexibility and ability to travel.
Good health.
Friends, colleagues and relatives who influence me to be me.
“When I think about my life and my blessings, great and small, I know the things that matter most aren’t really ‘things’ at all. Happy Thanksgiving.
— Darlyn Baker
I am thankful for my family. I love them all very much. I am also thankful for my school Stockdale Christian. I feel blessed to be able to attend a school where I can also learn about God. Happy Thanksgiving to all my family and friends, and a special one to my Grandma Donna, and best friend Natalie N.
— Natalie Valdez, age 8
I’m thankful for my friends, my pets and for all my family members. In the rest of my story, I’ll tell you about them and why I’m thankful for them.
I’m thankful for my friends because we always have something to do. We climb, play video games and well, have fun. That’s why I am thankful for my friends.
I’m thankful for my pets because when I’m bored i can play with them. Wilbur is my rat, Fast Fredy is our frog, and Tanner is our dog. They’re all good pets. That’s why I am thankful for them.
I’m thankful for my family because they’re always there for me. We went to a NASCAR race in Fontana. It was fun. We spend lots of time together. That’s why I am thankful for family.
I’m thankful for my friends, my pets and my family. Now you know why. These were just a few.
— Matthew Dylan Ellis, fourth grade
The three things I’m thankful for are Christmas, my fish and spiders. Now I’m going to tell you why I’m thankful for these things.
I’m thankful for spiders because if we didn’t have any spiders bugs would rule over the world and eat our food and drink our water. So next time you kill a spider you’re reducing the possibility of this.
I’m thankful for Christmas because it’s time to spend time with family, and the kids get presents.
And there’s a Christmas tree, stockings filled with toys, a roasted lamb and a fire.
I’m thankful for my fish because he’s the only fish we have left. And all our other fish died. So I like my fish; his name is Sharky.
I’m thankful for many other things but I wanted to tell you about these things. What are you thankful for?
— Alexandra Newsom, 4th grade
I am very thankful for the loyal clients of Commercial Trade, Inc., a local collection agency, of which I have the privilege of being president. Even though collection services are very much in demand during this current economic cycle, the fact remains that there are numerous agencies available throughout California.
Business owners, credit managers and accounting supervisors, all of whom hire collection services, are by necessity very aggressive stewards of their company’s assets. However, I have found that after many decades in this industry our customers tend to be the most reasonable and generous people that I have experienced in my business career.
I am truly grateful for each and every one because with out them our associates would not have the opportunity to be as productive as they are nor provide for their families.
— Hal Ennis
I’m thankful for everything I have in my life. Every little thing is a blessing. Other things that I’m thankful for are my parents, education, true friends, my health, a hot plate and a roof over my head. Not everyone gets the opportunity of graduating high school early and at the same time gets into college for free. A good number of people want that and can’t have it, but me, I’m one of those fortunate people who got this opportunity.
Another thing is my true friends. These people are there for me and give me the support that I need. They took me in when I needed a place to stay and provided me with everything I needed.
Last, but not least, my parents. They’re the ones who gave me life and raised me well. They’ve helped me get through my education and become a good member to society.
— Maria Silva
I’m thankful for the chill in the air. The northern wind dancing with the autumn leaves. The fall colors carpeting our lawns, our community and the country.
It’s the season for Thanksgiving 2009.
Some homes will have the warmth of a bright burning fireplace. Others will have the oven keeping them warm with the aroma of turkey, pies and bread rolls filling the air. Some people will be at shelters. Giving thanks for hope and faith, it’s never too late for a new beginning.
I’m thankful for the memories I have of Thanksgiving when I was a child. Some of my loved ones are now gone.
I’m thankful for men and women who have fought, and the ones who are now fighting for this country. They are all our sons and daughters.
Thanksgiving, a holiday to be thankful for each other, for God, our city and this great nation.
— Lynette Garcia
This Thanksgiving will be my second without my mother who died almost two years ago, but the legacy that she left for her children is what I’m most thankful for today. Mom and Dad raised four children who are all self-sufficient, relatively well-adjusted adults. What Mom taught us above all else is that for better or worse, we have each other. She taught us to love each other unconditionally — never tolerating any one of us saying anything disparaging about the other.
I had a mom whom I loved and who loved me for almost 50 years, yet I would give anything to be able to thank her one more time for giving me two sisters and a brother whom I cherish. Whenever I hear or read about families whose members don’t speak to each other, I thank Mom once again for what she taught us.
— Richard J. Marquez
I am thankful for my wonderful husband who adores me and loves me just the way I am. I am thankful for the huge extended family I now have and for the way they welcomed me into their lives. I am thankful for my two happy healthy children who I look forward to seeing the minute I wake up each day. I am thankful for the close relationship I have with my mother and my two amazing sisters.
I am also thankful to have close friends that I love and trust and share everything with. I must not forget to give thanks for my job and all of the kind and funny people I work with. But what I am most thankful for is my 10 years of sobriety, for without that I would have none of these things that I cherish so very much.
— Karyna Wilson
This may be cliché, but it’s the truth. I am overwhelmingly thankful for my family! You see, my husband and I were told five years ago that we would never be able to have children. After years of much prayer and heartache, I gave birth to two amazing children, Janie Grace, almost 2, and Noah, 5 months. They fill our life with joy, happiness, laughter and bliss! We finally have the family that we had dreamed and hoped for.
This Thanksgiving, we are overflowing with thankfulness and gratitude for the amazing gift that we’ve been given, the gift of a family. We have truly been blessed, and we thank God every day for our two little miracles. On Nov. 30, we will also be celebrating seven wonderful years of marriage! God has blessed us exceedingly and abundantly, above all we could have ever asked or hoped for! Our cup runeth over!
— Stephen and Andrea Selvey
I am most thankful for my job, my home and my family. Sounds cliche but with the economy in the state that it is, I am blessed to have it all. I am also thankful the New York Yankees won the World Series.
— Serena A. Rodriguez
This Thanksgiving I am extremely thankful for many things. My husband and our children all have jobs and everyone’s bills are being paid. I’m grateful for the health of everyone in our family including Bruno, our dog, who was diagnosed with a bad liver problem requiring expensive medication and costly liver diet food, and more recently with round cell cancer, and a paw so badly infected, the vet was talking amputation. His paw has healed and he is prancing around like a puppy, always wanting to play. Thank you Dr. Little and Dr. Anderson.
I’m thankful my husband’s bone spurs in his feet are getting better, very painful. After the dust storm last month I was stuck in the arm by a thorn and got both MRSA and pseudomonas. Thanks to two heavy-duty antibiotics I healed quickly and without complications. Thank you Dr. Calciano.
I’m especially thankful for the health of my 81-year-old parents. My mom is my best friend, healthy and my dad’s caretaker. My dad, as a diabetic has had a stroke, lost both legs and since July, has had a heart attack, two bouts of pneumonia, a severe bleeding problem, two infections and other complications. It’s been rough, but (thank God!!) he is tough. He came home three days ago, just in time for Thanksgiving. With mom’s special care, although he is very weak, we are hoping for the best.
Health and good jobs rule this year, and we are thankful.
— Linda Polston
I am thankful for my wonderful family because of all the love they give to me. I am thankful that I came to earth so I can have a wonderful life. I am thankful for my friends because if I didn’t have any I would be very lonely and sad. I am thankful that I get to go to Disneyland because I LOVE DISNEYLAND!!!
— Emily Cleveland, age 8
I’m thankful for my husband, Jon. I had a son and was a single mom for seven years when we met. Jon and I clicked immediately and had so much fun together! He is the funniest guy and made me a better person. It was great to finally be in an easy relationship. He always respected me and my son. They built a bond quickly and now are two peas in a pod. Now we have a daughter and one on the way!
Jon is God’s blessing to our family. He always does homework with our son and the kids always run to him when he gets home. He loves my son like he never missed a minute of his life. I couldn’t have asked for a more wonderful husband and father for my children. I love him with all my heart. He changed my life.
— Kym Iriart
