Branson Globe readers are thankful

During the Thanksgiving season, people around the country pause to reflect what makes them truly thankful. Branson Globe readers took the opportunity to express their gratitude with us.

Olive said, " I am thankful for every day the Lord allows me to live. Thankful for dear friends He gives me. God is good all the time. Happy Thanksgiving, everyone!"

Said AnnaLee, "I am thankful for my friends and family. I am thankful God always supplies our needs. Our family may be small, but with God's help, there's no mountain we can't climb. God has blessings in store for his children, and the best is yet to come!"

Jessica shared, "Thankful for family and my pets. Everyone is healthy. Also, still thankful for a crazy retail job that I was able to go part-time at because a restaurant hired me as their admin. Not great pay, but great hours so I still have some me time and family time. It's hard in this job market, but I've managed to get these two jobs, thankfully."

"I am thankful for my home, family, food and God," said Carrie.

Valerie noted, "Thankful to be cancer free, celebrating our son and daughter-in-law's new home, and welcoming our future daughter-in-law to the family. God is so good!"

Said Khris, "I am thankful for being able to enter the workforce again, and for being able to have Thanksgiving weekend off to spend with my kids who want to spend time with me.  But, most importantly for God's amazing grace." 

Tena said, "I am thankful to have things to make Thanksgiving dinner with. A kind group helped our family!" 

Mikenzie is thankful for "my kids and the people in my life who, without a doubt 'see' me and are there for me no matter what."

Becca shared, "I lost my home due to a fire, along with my vehicles and most of my possessions. What I am thankful for the most is that the Taney County firefighters saved as much of my belongings as they could. They also did their best to keep me as calm as they could while the fire was still lit. Thankful I am alive and thankful people choose to risk their lives to help everyday people like me."

Tiffany said, "I am thankful for second chances and children that never gave up on me."

Brian said he is thankful for "Our blessings of life, love and liberty."

"I'm thankful for the time with family this year," said Linda.  "We celebrate often and gather for holidays. I am thankful that I can bake and cook and show my family and friends how much I love them. I am also thankful for my brother's recent great medical report, and I'm thankful that Jesus is the reason we celebrate!"

Said Shawna, "I am thankful for our injuries not being worse than what they are. We were in a head-on collision on October 15. We have serious injuries but I'm thankful we are alive and will heal."

Catherine noted, "I am thankful for a new apartment and my brother and family and good friends and the love of Jesus. I am also thankful for the opportunity to send flowers as a ministry and I'm thankful for food donations for Thanksgiving lunch at the apartments."

Said Choose Life, "I'm thankful for my three grandchildren. Those little rugrats light up my life."

Bev said, "I'm very grateful and thankful for the grace and mercy God shows us every day.  From the bottom of my heart, I'm thankful for the gift of life and the love that surrounds me. It means everything, and I'm blessed to have such wonderful people in my life. I'm thankful to be able to live in a country where I can worship and share Jesus."

Bill is "thankful for the wonderful people God has placed in my life."

Linda shared, "I am thankful that God works all things for good for those who are called according to His purpose. Life is hard, but God is good."

Said Mary Ann, "Thankful for family and friends, thankful for the freedom to live where I want—Branson again! Thankful for my health after having pneumonia a little over a year ago and experiencing a TIA (baby stroke) in February. Thankful for insurance that fixed my house after flooding from an icemaker hose. Most of all, I am truly thankful for my Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ."

Joan said, "I'm grateful to live in a nation that has set apart a day to give thanks. I believe that we should be grateful every day, but Thanksgiving Day is a special opportunity to be together and share the joy of our blessings. Sweet memories remain with me of the excitement of celebrating with aunts, uncles and cousins at Grandpa and Grandma's house. It was crowded and warm with the wood stoves roaring. Each family had their own specialties that appeared every year. Of course, there was plenty of turkey and all the traditional side dishes. Aunt Betty always made a huge platter of tuna salad sandwiches cut into triangles. Tuna for Thanksgiving? It must have been a tradition from her family and it became a tradition for us. Of course, there were lots of desserts and not many parents paying attention to how many we ate!"

Heather noted, "I am so thankful for so many things. Living in this amazing country, a wonderful job, amazing family and friends and delicious food. This time of year is always so special. I am truly blessed beyond measure."

Said Lynda, "I'm thankful for my God and the everlasting mercies. I'm thankful for my family and friends, for good health, and for the gifts He's given me—the songs He's given me to spread the love of Jesus to the multitudes."

Nancy shared, "I am thankful God never gave up on me."

An anonymous reader shared, "I am glad I'm not a turkey! Seriously, I'm so very thankful for Jesus Christ and his atonement, so that all might be saved!"

Karen is very thankful this year. She explained, "I am thankful for the many memories of Thanksgivings in the past. I have childhood memories of dinners with grandparents, aunts, uncles and cousins with plates full of food, sitting in whatever chair was available. The talking was loud and the laughter was frequent. I remember my mom always setting aside two plates of food to take to my invalid Grandpa later that afternoon. I remember being in Germany on an Army base as a newlywed wife of a soldier. We invited several single soldiers to join us so they wouldn't have to dine alone. Now, I am the grandparent, helping to make memories for the younger generations to look back on, as they remember their Thanksgiving blessings of the past."

We at the Branson Globe are very thankful for each of you—our readers and our friends. We wish you all a very Happy Thanksgiving!