AOA Thanksgiving charity drawing: What are you thankful for this year?
Drawing's closed! Winner's been emailed!
With Thanksgiving this Thursday, it's that time when we ask everyone here...
What are you thankful for this year?
Please share in the comments -- it could be anything or anyone.
As it tradition, we will draw one comment at random and AOA will donate $100 to the charity of that person's choice in their name. Last year's winner picked The Make a Wish Foundation.
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 11:59 pm on November 23, 2016. You must include a working email address (that you check regularly). The winner will be notified by noon on November 28 and must respond by noon on November 29. The choice of charity is totally subject to AOA approval. (For example, we're not going to give money to People Against Puppies.)
Mary
Connection
This year I'm finding that I'm thankful for moments of genuine connection with other people -- friends, family, acquaintances and even folks I've just met. Moments of laughter or kindness, support or understanding help sustain me, and when I can offer them to others, I feel twice blessed.
Music and theater
I am fortunate enough to have spent a great deal of time around very talented people. Watching them do what they do best up close is a joy.
Opportunities
I have had an education, I have been exposed to the arts, I have watched the sun set over the Duomo and Notre Dame-- I know these and other opportunities are such gifts and I want to find more ways to use what I've learned from them to bring beautiful things into the world.
My husband
Peter doesn't just accept the crazy that comes with me, but actually seems to enjoy it.
Lin Manuel Miranda
Hamilton. In The Heights. All of it.
Greg
I'm thankful to have good neighbors, people who are friendly and helpful.
I'm thankful to live in a place where I can walk many places easily, because walking makes feel a little bit better about the world.
I'm thankful to get on a warm bus after standing at a bus stop during winter.
I'm thankful when I show up to a public meeting or polling place in our area and see it crowded with people who want to participate and be engaged.
I'm thankful for the many people who've supported AOA for so many years. We've been very lucky to have so many people participate with us, work with us, and encourage us.
I'm thankful for my wife, who is my best friend.
And I'm thankful for Otto, who brings joy to many people around us.
Say Something!
We'd really like you to take part in the conversation here at All Over Albany. But we do have a few rules here. Don't worry, they're easy. The first: be kind. The second: treat everyone else with the same respect you'd like to see in return. Cool? Great, post away. Comments are moderated so it might take a little while for your comment to show up. Thanks for being patient.
Comments
Was trying to figure out a way to describe what I am thankful for and then Mary hit the nail on the head....true meaningful connections; to people, to my work, to the community that we live in and even the Capital region itself.
... said Melanie M. on Nov 21, 2016 at 12:37 PM | link
Pants. Mine, and others'. Always thankful for pants.
... said Carl on Nov 21, 2016 at 12:43 PM | link
I'm thankful for my friends and family being healthy and happy.
... said bb on Nov 21, 2016 at 12:51 PM | link
I'm thankful for the opportunity I have to live in a great small city while having a very promising professional outlook. I feel like I have the best of both worlds- I'm able to own a home, have access to all the services and attributes of a city, but without the crush of a place like NYC. It gives me more time to spend with friends and family.
... said Deirdre on Nov 21, 2016 at 1:03 PM | link
I am thankful for my health.
I am thankful for my family and their good health.
I am thankful I have a roof over my head, a warm bed to sleep in and food to eat.
I am thankful for my cats Cooper and Gracie who give us unconditional love and enjoyment.
... said Amy on Nov 21, 2016 at 1:07 PM | link
I'm thankful for my dog's optimistic attitude. I step out into the snow and think "Oh no, I'm going to have to shovel." he steps out and thinks "OMG! WE GOTTA PLAY IN THIS!!!"
... said Casey on Nov 21, 2016 at 1:11 PM | link
Most thankful for my good health and the good health of my family/friends. Also thankful for the wealth of great places to get outside in our area!!
... said Laura on Nov 21, 2016 at 1:21 PM | link
I'm thankful for my family, my pets, my friends, my neighbors, my job, my colleagues, my home, and my garden.
... said a different Amy on Nov 21, 2016 at 1:30 PM | link
I'm thankful to be back in the Capital District after living away for a year. Nothing like coming back to realize where home truly is.
... said Megan B on Nov 21, 2016 at 1:34 PM | link
Am thankful for my many friends and their immense, delightful snark, and am so thankful they are sharing my journey through this ridiculous lifetime.
... said Tess on Nov 21, 2016 at 1:56 PM | link
I'm thankful for trees, my health, for being able to love and be loved, finding and marrying my adventure partner, and for Penguin the cat (even though she bites). Oh, and of course, sour gummy candy.
... said Laura M. on Nov 21, 2016 at 2:01 PM | link
I am thankful for generosity of spirit found all over Albany.
... said SR on Nov 21, 2016 at 2:04 PM | link
I'm thankful to have a supportive network of people in my life.
... said Amy on Nov 21, 2016 at 2:18 PM | link
I'm thankful that we made it home safe and sound after a long snowy and treacherous drive through the north country on Sunday.
At one point, blowing snow completely blocked our view on a winding part of Route 28.
Whew.
... said Jamie on Nov 21, 2016 at 3:06 PM | link
I'm thankful to have the things that I need, with a little bit extra to share.
... said capgirl on Nov 21, 2016 at 3:29 PM | link
Thankful I live in a blue state.
... said chrisck on Nov 21, 2016 at 4:03 PM | link
I'm thankful for the people who support me, even when I think I don't need any help.
... said Adam on Nov 21, 2016 at 4:14 PM | link
I am thankful for my public library!
... said Julie on Nov 21, 2016 at 4:33 PM | link
I'm thankful for my health and my religion.
... said Julie on Nov 21, 2016 at 5:30 PM | link
Thankful for having so much when there are so many people who have so little. I need to remind myself of that more often.
... said Jeff W on Nov 21, 2016 at 8:47 PM | link
I'm thankful for my great neighbors
... said Megan m on Nov 21, 2016 at 8:56 PM | link
That this year is almost over. It's been bittersweet. Mostly bitter. Y'all know what I'm talking about.
... said Chris on Nov 21, 2016 at 9:00 PM | link
During this rough end to the year, I've spent a lot of time feeling grateful for my family. I've got a super cute, healthy toddler, a loving husband, a funny sweet preteen stepkid. I live in a community that is progressive, supportive, and filled with other rad moms and dads. It may seem like the apocalypse, but from this vantage point at least, life is pretty okay.
... said Jenna on Nov 21, 2016 at 9:39 PM | link
I am thankful for my family (wife, daughter, two grand sons)
Also thankful that in general most people are kind to one another.
... said Dave on Nov 22, 2016 at 5:04 AM | link
I'm thankful for the NYS being a great employer!
... said Marshall on Nov 22, 2016 at 8:09 AM | link
I'm thankful for the freedom and privilege to start over. I'm thankful for the family and friends that support me through change.
... said Kara on Nov 22, 2016 at 8:17 AM | link
I'm thankful that through all the twists and turns in life, I somehow ended up here in Troy with a great job, a beautiful historic house and garden, and a sweet husband and dog to share it with.
... said Jennifer on Nov 22, 2016 at 8:21 AM | link
I'm thankful for AOA!
... said Beth on Nov 22, 2016 at 9:06 AM | link
My mom.
... said Tam on Nov 22, 2016 at 9:12 AM | link
I am thankful for being a part of an amazing team of mostly volunteers, that runs a fantastic summer wilderness experience for girls in the Adirondacks - Friends of Camp Little Notch.
... said Susan Smith-Franks on Nov 22, 2016 at 9:47 AM | link
I'm thankful that there are people in the world doing good things, when so much of attention is drawn to the bad. I'm even more thankful that I am lucky enough to call many of these people my friends, and that they inspire me to make something good happen in the world as often as I can.
... said Rebecca on Nov 22, 2016 at 11:42 AM | link
I am thankful to be alive and healthy after having emergency open heart surgery back in August to repair a damaged valve. I am also thankful for my great and supportive family and friends that helped me through my recovery.
... said MikeH on Nov 22, 2016 at 12:18 PM | link
My family and home.
... said Rob on Nov 22, 2016 at 12:55 PM | link
I'm thankful for my new workplace. It's fun, it's challenging, but most importantly I would choose to spend time with my coworkers without getting paid for it. :)
Also, family and friends who are another sort of family. :D
... said Andy K on Nov 22, 2016 at 12:56 PM | link
I am thankful for my wife and children.
... said Ron on Nov 22, 2016 at 1:44 PM | link
This year I'm thankful for my new baby niece and 'new' fiance (though he's been around for quite some time)!
... said Diana on Nov 22, 2016 at 2:59 PM | link
I am thankful for my husband.
... said Morgan on Nov 22, 2016 at 3:39 PM | link
Literacy Volunteers of Rensselaer County is most grateful for our wonderful volunteers, tutors and sponsors. We couldn't do the wonderful work of building a more literate community without them!! We are also so thankful for the motivation and dedication of our adult students who daily strive to become more literate citizens.
... said Judy Smith on Nov 22, 2016 at 3:58 PM | link
I'm thankful for cats and the people who look out for them.
... said Ruth on Nov 22, 2016 at 8:19 PM | link
I am thankful for the resilient Native Americans in ND, who will not be eating to celebrate Thanksgiving this year. Protect and unconditionally love what you are thankful for.
... said Keion Brown on Nov 23, 2016 at 10:49 AM | link
I'm thankful for my family,our good health and being able to spend time together.
... said CB on Nov 23, 2016 at 3:35 PM | link
Thankful for everyday philosophy and science.
Click my name for info about highly effective charities to consider donating to or getting involved in.
... said Nina Lee on Nov 24, 2016 at 2:07 AM | link