Drawing: What are you thankful for this year?
The comment drawn at random was from Tess. A $100 donation to Camp Little Notch has been made on her behalf.
Drawing's closed! Winner's been emailed!
____
As is now an annual tradition, we'd like to know...
What are you thankful for this year?
Please share in the comments -- it could be anything or anyone.
As is also tradition, we will draw one person randomly from the comments and AOA will donate $100 to the charity of that person's choice.
The Editors will start things off after the jump.
Important: To be part of the drawing, you must submit your comment (that answers the question) by 11 pm on November 25, 2014. You must include a working email address (that you check regularly). The winner will be notified by 10 am on November 26 and must respond by noon on December 1. The choice of charity is totally subject to AOA approval. (For example, we're not going to give money to People Against Puppies.)
Mary: This year I am thankful for the amazingly talented and kind people who have come into my world.
I don't have words to express how grateful I am for the supportive friends who show up and go along with the crazy schemes we devise here at AOA, or for those include me in their own crazy schemes.
I am grateful for the beautiful voices I get to listen to at rehearsals in the Capital Region theater community,and the lovely people behind them.
I'm grateful for the lessons in saying yes to what the universe hands me that I have learned from my improv colleagues at MopCo. They have made my journey so much more joyful.
I am incredibly grateful to the folks who read and contribute to AOA. It's the people we have met in this venture that have made it so worthwhile.
And most of all, I am grateful for my husband whose combination of heart, humor, curiosity and kindness still amaze me.
Greg: So much in life goes back to circumstances, so I'm thankful for all the luck I've had -- to be born to parents who loved me and tried to do their best for me, for a safe place to live, for the opportunity to get a good education.
I'm also thankful for the perspective that working on AOA has provided. I've met so many different people and had the chance to learn about so many different things while doing this job. I hope that's helping me to become more understanding and empathetic.
I'm thankful that my wife and I have Otto, because he brings a lot of joy into our life and the lives of other people.
And I'm thankful to be married to my wife. Because she's the best.
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Comments
I am grateful for my ever-growing community that supports and celebrates with me. I am sure there are nice people everywhere, but I have never heard of the life connections like I continually find here.
... said Melissa on Nov 24, 2014 at 11:24 AM | link
I feel so lucky for my family, my friends, my job, and the community we have here -- supportive, creative, and always inspiring
... said jalarson on Nov 24, 2014 at 11:37 AM | link
I am thankful for being able to live near enough to the Adirondacks that I get to spend a significant amount of time exploring them with my family and friends. So much beauty!
... said Sarah on Nov 24, 2014 at 11:43 AM | link
I am so very thankful for the wonderful people who wandered in and out of my life over the last few years. They have given me the love and support I need to survive and thrive. Last year at this time I was at my lowest. By the grace of all that is good in my life, I have climbed out and I'm happier than I've been in a very, very long time.
... said Alisa on Nov 24, 2014 at 11:53 AM | link
I am truly grateful for the warm body that I get to wake up next to every morning and hug. the person contained there within is pretty amazing.
... said Julie on Nov 24, 2014 at 12:01 PM | link
I am thankful for my mother. There's noone who I trust more than her, and noone whose advice I value more.
... said N on Nov 24, 2014 at 12:02 PM | link
I am thankful for so much about the capital region community that it's hard to list it all - so I'll focus on how thankful I am to have wonderful friends who do so many amazing, creative, things and who know me well enough to have introduced me to the love of my life. (And how thankful I am that he thinks so too!)
... said Laura on Nov 24, 2014 at 12:03 PM | link
I am grateful to my newly-wed husband, who loves me without measure, and who wants to spend the rest of his life with me. Every day, we work on building our relationship and our teamwork. I am so grateful that he came into my life, and showed me what I needed in a partner.
I am grateful that I live in Troy, and mesmerized be the countless number of people I have met trying to make this community a better place.
I am grateful that my parents have stayed safe through Buffalo's Snovember.
... said Jessica R W on Nov 24, 2014 at 12:04 PM | link
I am thankful that, in the past month, my girlfriend became my fiancée. She is the love of my life.
... said Jason on Nov 24, 2014 at 12:06 PM | link
I am deeply grateful for my mother, who when I became physically disabled at the age of 35, brought me home and created a life with the two of us together and who has stood by my side every day being my cheerleader and my witness as I fight and live with a progressive, degenerative neuromuscular (motor neuron) disease. I am grateful for the home we live in, the food we have to eat, the medical care I receive, the fact that we have been able to take a few vacations together, and for all of the laughs and love we've shared in the 7 years since I am home. It is impossible to fully express the depth of my gratitude. I know I am extremely fortunate and I work to feel and express gratitude for everything I have on a daily basis.
... said xina on Nov 24, 2014 at 12:20 PM | link
I am thankful for my beautiful, healthy children.
... said Ron on Nov 24, 2014 at 12:25 PM | link
I'm thankful to have a job I enjoy, friends and family whom I love, and a boyfriend who can make amazing naan and tikka masala. :)
... said Danielle Sanzone on Nov 24, 2014 at 12:40 PM | link
I am most thankful for my children and my loved ones. These are the people who keep me alive and keep from darkness.
... said Chris R. on Nov 24, 2014 at 12:42 PM | link
I am thankful that I am healthy and able to live a fully self-directed life. It is my hope that the upcoming labor laws changes requiring time and a half pay for overtime - without any additional funding to make this actually possible - will not have a devastating impact on the people who rely on Medicaid-funded home care services and their workers.
... said Laura on Nov 24, 2014 at 12:46 PM | link
I am so thankful for the amount of time I get to spend outdoors in the Adirondacks! So close to home, so amazing, and I get to share the experience with other people (and their kids!)
... said Tess Lecuyer on Nov 24, 2014 at 12:46 PM | link
DRD
... said JES on Nov 24, 2014 at 12:51 PM | link
I am thankful for dedicated people who are committed to working together to preserve beautiful Camp Little Notch for generations to come.
I am thankful for my cherished bestie who sees me and loves me and makes me feel safe and challenged.
I am thankful for my generous and loving mother who is my most beloved.
I am thankful for the friendship and love a receive from my dog and cat. They bring me so much joy and companionship.
I am thankful for chosen family, adventure, laughter, queer theatre, and baseball.
... said Jo Lum on Nov 24, 2014 at 12:55 PM | link
The good health of my family and friends!
... said Laura on Nov 24, 2014 at 1:06 PM | link
I'm thankful I can pay the bills and take a vacation with the wife and kids every year.
... said Barold on Nov 24, 2014 at 1:28 PM | link
My mom :)
... said Tammy on Nov 24, 2014 at 1:29 PM | link
As I get older, each year I am grateful for continuing good health. This past week has also made me grateful to live in a region with (relatively) benign weather patterns -- that I wasn't digging out 80 inches of snow and now fearing it melting into floods.
Also grateful for: Mia, Monkey, Mink, and Maestro.
... said chrisck on Nov 24, 2014 at 1:46 PM | link
I am thankful for birds and my ability to enjoy them and for the Hudson-Mohawk Bird Club for providing fun field trips. I'm also thankful for the local birders, many of whom are very knowledgeable and continue to teach me new, interesting things about birds and help provide interesting sightings.
... said Lindsey on Nov 24, 2014 at 2:13 PM | link
I am thankful for any excuse to spend time my friends and family, looking forward to thanksgiving!
... said julie on Nov 24, 2014 at 2:26 PM | link
Health Insurance
... said Matthew on Nov 24, 2014 at 2:29 PM | link
I'm thankful for employment that I love. Every day I come to work is thrilling, and I love my coworkers. Not a lot of people get to say that, and I'm so happy that I am one of them.
... said Eva on Nov 24, 2014 at 3:19 PM | link
My wife, my family and friends, my career and enjoying present with my love and our future.
... said AKM on Nov 24, 2014 at 4:01 PM | link
Thankful for a giving and forgiving God.
Thankful for a beautiful wonderful wife.
Thankful for a smart gifted son.
Feeling very blessed.
... said Rich on Nov 24, 2014 at 8:31 PM | link
I'm grateful that I have a great new job this year, and it's a day job, which allows me to have Thanksgiving AND Christmas off, EVERY YEAR.
I'm grateful that those I love and care about are all still healthy and safe.
And I'm grateful that my first pregnancy is going well. :)
... said KB @ Home-Baked Happiness on Nov 24, 2014 at 8:41 PM | link
Thankful for my faith, family and friends. ~Amen
... said Michelle on Nov 24, 2014 at 8:46 PM | link
I'm thankful for the Honest Weight Food Co-op and the Asian Supermarket on Central Ave for keeping my dinners interesting.
... said Emily on Nov 25, 2014 at 8:21 AM | link
I'm thankful for my frugality. Because that meant that I was able to pay off my house in short order, and also to have the money to pay a contractor to do a complete--and much needed--rehab of my living room, which was literally falling apart. Yes, I'm thankful for all the really important features in my life, such as great, and healthy adult children, etc., but for the first time, I am thankful for something I did for ME. Having said that, now I think it seems selfish. That's unfortunate. I'll go back to enjoying my frugal life.
... said Maggs on Nov 25, 2014 at 8:56 AM | link
I am thankful for my daughter and the life we are creating together since her diagnosis with a progressive neuromuscular disease. Life is good!
... said Linda on Nov 25, 2014 at 9:17 AM | link
I am thankful for my traditional family respecting and supporting my non-traditional life choices.
... said am on Nov 25, 2014 at 10:38 AM | link
I'm thankful for having the opportunity to move back to Albany to be close to my family, and making the most of my time with them now that I'm here.
... said acw on Nov 25, 2014 at 11:32 AM | link
I am grateful for my mom, who has survived through colon cancer this year. It was a long and hard year for her, but she is one tough cookie. Looking forward to spending the holidays with her.
... said Alvin on Nov 25, 2014 at 11:40 AM | link
I'm thankful for my health, friends, and family. I'm also very thankful for the blackened string beans at the New World Bistro Bar ;)
... said bb on Nov 25, 2014 at 11:51 AM | link
Having people in my life I can share a laugh with.
... said RPS on Nov 25, 2014 at 11:58 AM | link
I'm thankful for all of the time I've been able to spend outdoors this summer and fall and the Capital Region's close proximity to the Adirondacks!
... said Julie on Nov 25, 2014 at 12:32 PM | link
FRIENDS and FAMILY!!!!!!!!!!!
... said Lindsay on Nov 25, 2014 at 12:58 PM | link
My family and friends.
... said sue on Nov 25, 2014 at 1:22 PM | link
I'm grateful for my friends and family! I'm grateful that I can be home with them on thanksgiving. I'm grateful for my summer camp, Camp Little Notch, and that I get to visit while I'm home. Happy Thanksgiving!:) I'm so happy to spend this time with friends, both old and new!
... said Emma Dixon on Nov 25, 2014 at 1:42 PM | link
I am so thankful for my family, my job and many new friends I have made at Camp Little Notch.
... said Sue Canfield on Nov 25, 2014 at 3:58 PM | link
I am thankful that I get to help people for a living and I have amazing friends and family that support my efforts.
... said Brie on Nov 25, 2014 at 4:42 PM | link
That my kid is getting sober, and my nephew is cooking the Thanksgiving dinner and does not mind me taking home leftovers for a turkey sandwich.
... said Lauren Darman on Nov 25, 2014 at 4:45 PM | link
After lunch at my kids' school, they say this blessing:
For food in a world where many walk in hunger;
For faith in a world where many walk in fear;
For friends in a world where many walk alone;
We you give you thanks, O Lord, Amen.
I think that pretty much sums it up. This season, let us pause and think of those who are not as fortunate and how we can help them.
... said LisaW on Nov 25, 2014 at 5:05 PM | link
I am thankful to have such a great neighbor that she invited me and my husband for Thanksgiving. I'm thankful to have the best bff for over 30 years. I'm thankful for my wonderful cousins who picked my mother and her dog up in Tucson to drive back to California to spend Thanksgiving with them...and then driving back over the weekend and I'm thankful for having AOA...as it's a fun read and very informative.
... said llcwine on Nov 26, 2014 at 2:36 PM | link