Thanksgiving is traditionally a time to give thanks for what we have. But far too often today that simplest of gifts–gratitude–is forgotten amid the festive smorgasbord of food, the football, the parades, the ads for Black Friday sales and countless other 21st century distractions.
An American family says grace before Thanksgiving dinner in Neffsville, Pa., in 1942.
Saucon Source recently asked our Facebook followers to reflect upon and share what they are grateful for this year at Thanksgiving.
Here are their answers, in no particular order. Please feel free to post your own comment about what you’re thankful for.
And Happy Thanksgiving!
Toniann Volkman: “I am grateful for my husband, who works so hard to provide for his family. I am grateful for my children and all the laughter and love they give me. I am grateful for my niece who is like my own daughter, she is so helpful and hardworking. I am grateful for my mom, she helps me out on a daily basis and always comes when I need her. I am grateful for my brother who is always willing to help me out when needed, or just come by and hang out with me. I am grateful for my family everyday of the year. This Thanksgiving I am extremely grateful to all the people who helped with our dog Shane. Whether it was with a donation, sharing our fundraiser page or just giving us love and support, it helped us so much. I am grateful to all those people for helping Shane get his surgery and the use of his legs back!”
Ellen Gabel Fischer: “I’m thankful for my daughter, family, dogs and my job!”
Tracy D’Agostino: “I am thankful for the first officer and all the rescue personnel on the scene of the horrific accident on (Route) 222 this past week, and for Reading Hospital for taking such great care of my husband for the 2 days he was there. I am most thankful that my husband was only injured, and not one of the poor innocent people that were not as lucky as he was.”
Nick Barone: “My daughter being seizure free for 2 years.”
Becky Marie: “Health, home, happiness, family, friends, coping skills, and love.”
Kimberly Russo: “I’m grateful for my husband who loves his family and keeps us safe and warm! My three brilliant children: Andrew, Nicholas and Makenna, who make me very proud everyday! For my future daughter-in-law Danyelle Snyder, who is also brilliant and makes me proud! For all the new friends I’ve made in the past several months! You all mean something to me in your own special way!!”
Mary Mozloom Davis: “I’m grateful for the usual stuff. Relatively good health, a loving, devoted husband, comfortable home, family & friends, my cats & even for being laid off. I’ve been able to meet some wonderful people at my job, but now it’s time to move on & be given a chance to start fresh in the direction I’m meant to go. Hoping to use some of my God-given talents to earn a living.”
Christine A. Carey: “I am grateful for my sister and dad that just bought me a ticket to Florida in January for a week.”
Mark Panek: “I’m grateful for living in a great community that you stop in at Bergy’s store for a coffee and chit chat with neighbors. Having a great school for your children to thrive in, and the list goes on.”
Perry Costello: “(Being) able to play music!”
Joanne Szmodis: “I have a lot to be thankful for: all the doctors and nurses that have been helping my husband at Duke Hospital, my daughters, son-in-laws and our grandsons, and the rest of my family for emotional support.”
Jessica Lynn: “The opportunity to provide homeless veterans and their families with a home and the chance to make a difference in their lives.”
Crystal Carl Henn: “I’m grateful for everything, good or bad. I am just so thankful to be allowed to experience it all and be alive and well on this earth. But I’m mostly thankful for my two beautiful babies, my husband and my family & friends.”
LeAnna Gimbar Reifinger: “There is so much I am grateful for I could write a book. But I’ll start by saying most of all it’s the little things we take for granted. My health, my senses, my children, friends and family.”
Leslie Repyneck: “I’m thankful for having a healthy family and friends. And my good buddy Josh.”
Mandy Mayer: “So thankful for my faith. It’s a struggle some days but it continues to grow. And thankful for time. Too many people are taken from us early and don’t get to grow old with their significant other or watch their children grow. I’m so grateful for the time I’ve been given on this earth and hope I have a lot more time left to keep making memories.”
Kayla Starkweather: “I’m grateful for my brothers and sisters at Dewey Fire Company for all that they do. They leave their beds at all hours of the night to save lives, they drop what they are doing and do what they can to keep people safe. Without them, where would our community be?”
Kristen Turner Gillem: “I am grateful for the gift of an amazing church family, Jesus who has been by my side through the struggle of knee surgery not working out the way I wanted it to, family that even though we have less this year our love is still abundant and the hugs and kisses are plenty!”
Eileen Rooney Barone: “I am thankful for my members who have also become friends.”
Mary Kolumber: “I am Thankful for Pastor Phil, my church family, friends, health, my father who is having a bad time now, my brother (bad time too now), friends where I live, Bagel Basket friends, Cafe Erica, Bella’s restaurant, Josh’s work at Saucon Source. I wish everyone a nice happy Thanksgiving Day, good health, luck, happiness, and a very safe journey wherever you are headed.”
Amanda Murray Fink: “I am thankful for living in this beautiful country, the great U.S.A., my strong, supportive husband, two amazing children, wonderful family on both sides, the opportunity for my husband & I to be self-employed, which allows us to be around more for our children and not miss out on them growing up, my health, my big brother who has always been there for me and most importantly my amazing, selfless mother (who also filled in the role of “father”), who never faltered on raising us to be honest, loyal, respectful, caring, compassionate, dependable, truthful and understanding! We have so very much to be thankful for everyday, not just this time of year. Thanx Mom.”
Patricia Seemayer: “I’m grateful that I will be a first-time grandma of a little girl this coming April. I’m also grateful for my family, my health, and my job teaching cute little two-year-olds.”
Lynne Maynard: “I’m grateful my friends and I still enjoy dressing up for Halloween.”
Kirsten Egan: “Grateful to have a career that is both my calling in life and the one thing that makes me the happiest. Oh, I’m grateful for my ever supportive husband and cute cats too.”
Karen Cooney: “Grateful for my husband, my two daughters, my son, having a house of our own, and all of the good family and friends we love!”
Andrea Paparelli: “I am grateful for coming from such a great community and that even though Patrick and I live away now, we can keep in touch with home via your postings Josh!”
Sherri Kelly: “Family, friends, a relationship with God, love & support, good food, warm home, transportation, DD coffee, chocolate, exercise, community, pets, work, hot showers, church, good health, restorative sleep, Merrell shoes, nature, rail trail.”
Randy V. Yardumian: “Grateful for at least one agent of the media who still has an ounce of integrity.”