Question of the Week

During this Thanksgiving season, to whom will you say "thank you"? How? Why?

Read the Follow-Up Reports from some of these contributers. >>

I'm thankful for my current boss. He allowed me to work a reduced work week so that I could spend two week days at home with our newborn daughter. I plan on thanking him with a letter and pumpkin pie -- post Thanksgiving. Chick Kristin

I have so many things to be thankful for this year, but in choosing whom I'd like to thank from the bottom of my heart and at the top of my lungs, I'd like to thank my 7 year old daughter, Lexy, and my 5 year old daughter McKenna. This has been a tough year on you ... leaving Cincinnati and your friends and school, spending a summer dealing with Mommy and Daddy's stress not knowing if we'd find a job or not., then up and packing for California. But mostly, being the incredibly brave and thoughtful sisters you have been to your baby sister, Katarina. Thank you for spending countless hours in the ER until the wee hours, for riding along to see specialist after specialist, for understanding when we didn't have time to read you a book, or tuck you in, or make a big deal out of your bumps and bruises. I am so thankful that you were there to help hold Kat down when we were learning how to catheterize her at home. Morning, noon, and night you cheered and sang and cried and laughed to help her get through it (and me!) You had to be big girls before you should have... and I'm sorry for that.. .but I'm also thankful. I love you both so much.

Strange isn't it? That one of the most stressful years of my life, I've never felt more blessed. Chick Megan

I plan on telling my friend, Diane, thanks. This will be very strange as she will not expect it... nor will she welcome it. But, I suppose it's about time in this lifetime of a friendship that I thank her for being a great friend. She lets me abuse her, make fun of her, and she listens without judgment. Most of all, she is available at moment's notice when I need her... either to go on a trip, be my date at a dinner or to drive the kids to where they are supposed to be. I should really probably thank her for finally moving to within a mile of me, as it has made our morning coffee so much easier. Wish me luck, as she probably won't hear me. She can never hear anything good about her. Maybe I'll tell her it looks like she's gained a few, then she'll listen up. Here I go... Chick Karin

For lack of anything else to come into my mind on this topic, I am going to say a special thank you to each of my three daughters, who, together with their partners, have given Pete and I these nine wonderful grandchildren. They really are one of the greatest blessings during this stage of our lives. I will say a special thank you via e mail today. Chick Jeanette

I am most grateful this Thanksgiving for my niece, Kelly. Kelly is a special child with very special needs. She is undiagnosed, however, did encounter a dusky spell shortly after birth. She cannot talk and is just beginning to walk independently (thanks to an orthopedic surgeon who recommended a back brace rather than Herrington rod surgery). Kelly is eleven. She has given me so much that I will never be able to thank her appropriately nor pay back the multitude of lessons and joys that she has taught me and others.

She is remarkable in that she gets a glow on her face and a sparkle in her eyes and when she is having a really good day -- bounces on a chair and waves her hands with excitement -- this typically happens when she recognized someone or perhaps is watching a Mary Kate and Ashley movie.

She has taught me love, patience, kindness and has impacted not just me, but our entire family. My son chose a Senior Project through Special School District as he wanted to learn more about interactions with special children. Jaime insists on buying two of each new Olson twins movie. Kelly has remained at home is mainstreamed into her local elementary school and has some great friends through Girl Scouts and Therapeutic Horsemanship.

What will I do to show my gratitude for Kelly -- what I do every single day -- pray for that miracle that will allow her to communicate. Be it through a cognitive speech devise or through her current method of signals and signs or perhaps just through the look of joy on her face.

I will also take extra time during this season to make certain that she is fully included in all of the family activities that we do. Chick Susie

Well, this will motivate me to thank a person I've been meaning to thank since the beginning of my children's school year. That person is Pastor Barb, the associate Pastor at my children's school. She leads a Bonehead Bible Study and convinced me to get involved when I met her at Olivia's back to school night. Our children are in the same preschool class. Well, I'm in the group and am so grateful to be there! It is such a wonderful group of women and Barb's leadership in Bible study, spiritual discussion and prayer requests is nothing short of phenomenal. Thanksgiving is the perfect time to give her my long awaited THANK YOU! Chick Cheryl

Two years ago, I was going through a difficult time in my life... making some bad choices. My friend Stacy did what a friend should do -- she made me face the consequences of my behavior and tried to make me change the direction I was headed. I didn't. In fact, I resented her for butting into my business and stopped talking to her and seeing her. Now I see she was right and I'm paying the price for not listening.

We haven't talked in over a year, but I am going to stop by and see her during the Thanksgiving weekend. I don't know if she'll welcome me or not, but she at least needs to hear me say "I'm sorry" and "Thank-you for being a true friend." Cindy

I will thank God! hOW... by a traditional Thanksgiving prayer and thanking him each and every day through prayer and action. Why? I have been blessed with many things. I constantly am blessed by his grace and forgiven by his mercy. I constantly learn and grow through all times, good or bad, are a blessing. He gives me life each day and I am clearly undeserving but by his mercy and grace i am allowed to try again. Alleluia! He is an awesome God and that is why. Betsy

The kids are gone on a retreat this weekend. My husband, Jeff, has had to sacrifice a lot during the past 18 months just to help us make ends meet. This Friday night, I'm going to thank him by surprising him with a romantic evening he won't soon forget! (He'll need the rest of the weekend to recover.) Janice