A long time ago in a galaxy far, far away, my editor used to ask us for help with her Thanksgiving column. We would each email her one specific thing we were thankful for that year, and she’d choose a variety of responses to include in her column. It always got a terrific response from our readers. So, I thought I’d give it a try here.
But first, the top three items from my own list:
• I’m grateful to be doing a job I love in a community that has welcomed me with more positivity than I’ve ever known before.
• I’m grateful for my support system of lifelong friends, long-lived family and happy furballs.
• Most of all, I’m grateful for my son, who has always been my sunshine and will forever make me proud.
Friends, family and work also dominated the input I received from my co-workers:
“I am thankful for my family’s health. My family has had some medical issues this past year that really could have been worse. I know someone great was looking out for them.” — Ranette Johnson
“I am thankful that my mom finally decided to move to Washington. My dad died five years ago, and she had been living all alone in New Mexico while all her siblings were living in the Seattle area. It is so nice to be able to drive to Olympia and visit her whenever I want instead of 3,000 miles every few years. This will be the first time I have been able to celebrate Thanksgiving with her in a very long time.” — Connie Ellis
“I’m thankful for being largely appreciated in the work environment and in at least some parts of the community. A University of Washington professor once told me that nobody enters journalism to get rich or to receive gratification. But in any profession, gestures of appreciation are important, and I’ve been fortunate to receive more than my share. It’s one reason I’ve stayed on the job for as long as I have.” — Rick Anderson
“I am thankful that all of our children, in-laws and grandchildren live within the state of Washington and that all of our children and their families enjoy getting together with us for holidays, yearly getaways to Sun Lakes Resort and our biennial trips to Mexico.” — Karen Barkstrom
“I am thankful for a lot of things! But most of all for my healthy, handsome, smart, funny, loving 7-year-old little boy, my family, my job, and last but not least my co-workers.” — Brittnee Morris
“I am thankful for my family and friends. I may not get to see them very often through the year, but knowing they are there for me if I need them is a blessing.” — Leslie Bebich
“I’m thankful for jazz music, because for every case of stress or emotional pain there’s always been an iconic melody or solo that can lift my spirits. As for fall listening, nothing quite matches Cannonball Adderley’s 1958 solo on ‘Autumn Leaves’ with Miles Davis.” — Louis Krauss
“Thanks to those I work with, and to the people we serve. Together they have given my life meaning, and brought me joy through the fulfillment of the important service we provide. Now I get to share that joy with the family I love.” — Stan Woody
“I am thankful for my loving and thoughtful husband. He loves to cook and does the majority of it. On cold fall evenings, he hurries to get home so he can warm up our house for me. We met later in life, and I am very grateful to have a loving shoulder to lean on and someone who always make me smile and belly-laugh. My heart is full.” — Kathy Bradt
“If I weren’t superstitious, I would say that I am thankful that my wife and children are healthy. Since I am, I will say that as of this minute, to my knowledge, my wife and children are healthy and that is something for which I am exceedingly thankful. My same superstitiousness applies to the Washington State Cougars, but … sometime around 9 o’clock Saturday night I hope to be happy about the Apple Cup.” — Doug Barker
And, last but not least, an anonymous contribution: “Legal weed!”
Kat Bryant is lifestyle editor of The Daily World. She, too, is grateful for legal weed and isn’t afraid to say so. Reach her at kbryant@thedailyworld.com or on Facebook at Kat Bryant-DailyWorld.
