MICHIGAN CITY – “I am thankful for…”
Students at St. Stanislaus Kostka Catholic School were asked to consider what they are grateful for, filling in the blank, so to speak, with all that comes to mind. Their responses touched upon what they feel their blessings are as the holidays approach.
“I am thankful for a lot of things, and with Thanksgiving coming up, I can express what I am thankful for, such as my family, friends, God, my life, my grades, my school community, books, and my phone,” said seventh-grader Eliarita Hannoun. “I am so thankful for the life God gave me.”
Family and friends were among the top blessings on every student’s list. One middle schooler expressed gratitude specifically for her grandma for beating cancer and her stepmom for being alive and not hospitalized and indicated that God “gets me through the day” and “makes my life good.”
An appreciation for life and the love and care they receive from parents and extended family was articulated by many students across grade levels.
Seventh-grade student Nevaeh Farmer stated, “There are many things that I am thankful for…I’m thankful that I am alive. I’m thankful for my parents and what they do for me…and for anyone who has ever done anything for me.”
Fourth-grade student Leo Serrano shared, “I am grateful for my family because they are always there for me, and when I have soccer games, my mom is at every game.”
“I’m grateful for mom, my godparents, my yaya, siblings and God. They are my life,” wrote Jordynn Bush, grade five.
London Alexander, another fifth grader, detailed the ways her mother helps she and her brother. “She pays all the bills, so we can watch TV and have lights. She keeps me in new shoes and clothes. She cooks for us and helps us whenever needed,” she mentioned. “I’m thankful for everything she does.”
Classmate Charity Evans was thankful for not only the “food, clothes, and great home” her mom provides, but also the safety. “She protects me and helps me grow,” the fifth grader wrote.
Special relationships and friendships and the importance they hold were conveyed with gratitude by students as well.
“I am thankful for my family and friends. They help me when I’m down and are always there for me. They give me confidence in myself and love me no matter what,” shared sixth-grade student Maddie Whitehead.
“My friends help me through hard times and bring me joy,” noted seventh-grader Kynlie Brown.
Several students were also thankful for the many beloved pets in the family home. One middle schooler has 27 animals; another has 15.
“I’m thankful for my rats, cats, dog and guinea pigs,” said Unique Holt, grade seven, adding that the favorite one, named Pepsi, is “so calm and quiet.”
Silvia Margraf, in sixth grade, shared that she loves her family’s dog because he is “so cute and fluffy.” The sixth grader continued her thankfulness list with school and teachers. “I’m thankful for all their hard work and sacrifice, so I can learn,” she wrote.
Among many other blessings, fifth grader Kayla Hannoun likewise expressed thankfulness for her teacher. “My teacher is very kind and understanding,” she explained. “She helps me with all my work.”
“In the classroom we pray often, apologize for every mistake and role-model the right way to treat others,” said Lexa Allison, a teacher of fifth grade.
Gratitude is a practice that’s taught and supported among the other teachers, as well.
“I always encourage gratitude,” said fourth-grade teacher Theresa Riehm, explaining that she prompts the kids with the question “What do we say?” to remind them to thank substitutes and specials teachers. “My favorite thing is to bring thankfulness in prayer.”
In a nutshell, students and teachers, alike, give thanks to God for an abundance of blessings.
“I’m grateful for my life and everything God gave me – a roof over my head, a family, siblings, food and water, a bed to rest, a lot of toys to play with - that I have friends and teachers that care for me and help me learn,” shared Kendall Smith, grade four.
Seventh grader Nevaeh Olds expressed similar sentiments. “God is the reason I’m here today…I’m giving double thanks to God because he gave me all that I’m thankful for,” she wrote, including family, friends, pets, and more.