I asked my students to write about something or someone they’re thankful for. One thing. But then they asked if they could list more. Of course I told them they could.

Olivia Johnson (Age 15):

• Food and Drinks. I am very thankful to have the ability to eat whenever I want and to drink clean water anytime. I’m sure it is very hard for people in other countries to be starving all the time and not having crystal clear water to drink.

• Family and Friends. I know that is the classic answer that everybody says but I know when anything happens they will be there for me.

• The freedom to worship. We all think that waking up on Sunday and going to church is just normal. But people in foregin countries are getting executed for believing in God. I am very glad that I do not have to fear when I go to worship.

• Dance.  When I dance all my worries just disappear and it’s just me on the floor and I’m grateful to have that feeling.

• A warm place to sleep. I might complain about the size of it but when I walk into my house after standing outside in the cold I immediately feel comforted. And when I’m really tired at night there is nowhere better than my bed. I feel bad for people sleeping on the streets who have no choice but to stay in the cold.

• The finances to have everything I need and more. For instance, christmas is coming up and me and my siblings always get loads of gifts, and some people don’t have the money to give their kids anything.

Abigail Kirlough (Age 13): I’m thankful for my mom. Being homeschooled, she’s taught me everything I know, and she is always there for me when I need her. She’s one of my greatest role models, and I will always look up to her. I hope to teach my kid’s just like she taught me, and I hope she will be there to help me. She is an awesome mom, an amazing wife, and a woman of God. I love her so much, and I am glad to be spending my Thanksgiving this year with her.

Jacob Williamson (Age 14): I’m thankful that I live in the United states. Though it may be far from perfect it is still one of the best countries to live in.

Caleb Zaleski (Age 13): I am very thankful for my ability to swim very fast. I love swimming and exercising, so I am thankful to God for the ability.

Emersyn Schuette (Age 9): I am thankful for my wonderful, amazing, and loving teacher Ms. Kelly. Who has helped me with my grammar, punctuation, and spelling!  Without her, I would not have found the joy of writing.  I have learned lots of new things in the past 7 weeks.  Thank you, Ms. Kelly!!!! This is what I am thankful for.

(And might I add that Emy gets an A+ in making her teacher cry? I mean, nine years old, and every piece of punctuation is spot on! Even the Oxford Comma. OMG I love these kiddos.)

Jonah Iammarino (Age 10): This year I am thankful for my dog, Lexi. She is a Boston Terrier, and is 8 years old. I think she is the greatest dog ever! She likes my mom the best. When my parents go out, Lexi will sit with either me or my brother. I love her because she is a lazy dog, and not too crazy.

Jude Iammarino (Age 13): This year I am thankful for everything I have, because I just cannot pick one thing. I love my video games, nerf guns, my friends, my dog, and of course my family. I know it sounds pretty cheesy, but it’s true. It would be hard to live without all of those things, if you ask me. I hope that everyone has a great holiday season, but for now, goodbye writing class!

Brady Cheezer (Age 14): In these paragraphs I will be explaining who I am thankful for. I am thankful for my wonderful family.

I am thankful for my family and God, because I’ve been so blessed by both of them. First God put me in this family for me to flourish and grow in many different ways, and my family helps shape that. We are all homeschooled and we can really connect with each other more. I was born into a Christian family, and loved my sister, and my mom and dad, until we were broken. At the age of three and a half my biological mom went to see Jesus. And for five and a half years we had no mom, but we were babysat by our grandma everyday while our dad was gone. So me and my sister grew to love our Nana a lot. When I was nine my dad met someone, and from there our family grew a little more. That’s when we met our little sister, Hannah. In 2016, my dad, and soon to be mom, got married, and our family connection was restored; to a point.

As time went on we became a stronger family. And just a year after they got married we had my little brother, Graham. I loved him so much, and then we were really united as a family. Graham grew into a smart kid and knew most things that kindergartners did when he was two. In 2020 my mom birthed another child, Grace, in which, at the time, I wasn’t too happy for. But with her cuteness and her smartness she has popped that bubble. Our family has not only grown physically, but also emotionally, and spiritually. I can not wait to see what Hannah, Graham, and Grace become as they grow. Now we all live together.

In conclusion, I am very thankful for my family, and we should try to spend every ounce of our time together before Jesus comes back.

Evan Johnson (Age 12): What I’m grateful for:

1. Soccer
2. Basketball
3. When I get to see my friends
4. Soccer and Basketball practice
5. Turf fields
6. My teammates
7. When I get to see/talk to my cousin
8. This one really great person

Sam Marr (Age 10): I Am thankful for the breath that God has given me. I am super grateful that I have a house and a warm place to sleep at night. I love my Family, I feel lucky to have two parents that work super hard just to provide for us. I’m glad that we have a dog to play with and to protect us. I’m glad God has kept us safe all these years and that he gave me a perfect mom and dad that aren’t over protective and don’t let us do anything.  I’m grateful that we have friends and relatives that also care for my siblings and I. I’m glad that mom and dad want to give us nice things and presents. Last of all, I’m super grateful that Jesus promised to come back some day and take all his believers up into heaven.

Jack Marr (Age 11): I am thankful for my grandpa because when I was ten, I wanted to earn some money. I was growing too old for lemonade stands so I had to figure out a different solution.

One day, we hopped in our car to go drop something off at our grandparent’s house. There I told my Mom and my grandpa my desire to earn some money. My grandpa said, “I know what you can do. You can help me tend my garden and do other work around my house. If you’d like to do it, we could start tomorrow morning.” I agreed with him. We settled on five dollars an hour.

The next morning, I got up early. Today was the first day at my new summer job. Mom drove to his house and we started. First, I did simple tasks like weeding and spreading out fresh mulch. Later came the bigger chores like chopping wood, mowing the lawn, and fertilizing. After two weeks I got paid and I was already an expert on mowing grass (almost). That’s why I’m thankful for my grandpa.

Levi Eidenmiller (Age 12): I am thankful for my mom, dad, brothers, dog, grandparents, cousins, food, a house, ARCHERS, teachers willing to teach, writing class, school, math ELA. I am thankful for my friends. Also my Archers friends Evan, Raymond, Jack and Sam, Sean, Aiden, Liam and Clayton. A good government, money, my state, a nice vacation in Outer Banks North Carolina.

2022, here I come. I am thankful for sports like soccer baseball and football.

Joshua Eidenmiller (Age 12):

I am thankful for my good friends, and family who are there for me when I need them.
Good schooling and the supplies needed for it.
A nice warm house.
Good foods.
I am thankful to live in a free country.
Able to do sports.
Good vacations.
People willing to take me places.
ARCHERS.
Nice neighborhood/neighbors.

Grace Kay (Age 15): I am thankful for my dog, Max. 

I waited five years for a furry friend of my own, and six years ago my waiting came to an end. My dog Max has been there at my side through the joyful times and well… the not so joyful times too. Max has a personality of his own and thats something I’ll never change… even If he decides to run down the street at four AM in celebration of his birthday. 

Taras Shevchenko (Age 12): I am thankful for a lot of things this year. Most of all I am thankful for my family. I have three siblings, two sisters and one brother and a cat. My older Phillip brother likes fishing, soccer, football, longboarding, piano and mountain biking. My little sister Annemarie likes singing, ballet, gymnastics and playing with dolls. And the youngest of the family Julieta who is going to be two in January she likes to play, look at books and to rip them, eats a lot, and loves to go outside. My Dad owns a body shop and buys precious metals at auctions. Also, recently he obtained a commercial driving license to drive. Dad took my brother and I to work at his shop for the summer to fix a minivan because we needed a car to drive to Florida for vacation, but we didn’t finish it. My Mom, well she does a lot of things, she cleans the house, cooks, drives us everywhere and sells jewelry that Dad buys on ebay and Etsy. And for myself, I like a good amount of activities like mountain biking, fishing, soccer, football, going outdoors, building architecture lego sets, reading books, swimming, cooking, and playing the bandura it’s a Ukrainian instrument. And my cat’s name is Hunter and he likes to sleep, play, and he definitely lives up to his name and has caught lots of mice, snakes, birds, and moles. I thank God that I have a family that loves me and that I have one at all.

Mrs. Kelly Griffiths (Age none-of-yo-business): I am grateful for the opportunity and ability to write and teach, to do what I love every day, to lose myself in work I find so enjoyable. I get to hang out with these beautiful souls and talk books. And, best for last, I love my family and friends who hug me in a thousand different ways. Actual hugs, virtual hugs, word-hugs, investing-in-me hugs. I am rich beyond belief.