With Thanksgiving this week, the Delta Democrat-Times staff asked people in the community what they are thankful for this year. This is what they said.
Wendy Smith, of Greenville:
“I often think that not even the ancient Kings lived as well as I do. They didn’t have my variety of food choices, air conditioning, or a hot shower. I am rich.”
Lisa Bush, of Leland:
“I am grateful for my life, for my husband and children, and for the many gifts and talents that a I have been blessed with. I am truly grateful for every opportunity I’m given to serve others, whether it’s through my role as a Funeral Director, through comedy with Sister Lucille, or as an elected official in the City of Leland.”
Shantell Olds, of Greenville:
“I’m thankful for a place to lay my head, a job, and definitely my family.”
Will Coppage, of Greenville:
“As my daughter, Lyla Jane, grows older, I am thankful for the weekends spent at Winterville Mounds and the Jim Henson Museum. I am thankful for the moments when our family passes bailed cotton and my daughter says, ‘That’s where shirts come from,’ or when we pass Uncle Ben’s /Mars Food, and Lyla Jane is the first to point out, ‘That’s where they make rice.’ I am thankful of when we drive by Delta Regional Medical Center, our daughter will say, ‘That’s where I was born,’ and then ask me if I know Dr. Mitchell. I am thankful of rides through downtown and with each passing of the Butcher Shop, Lyla Jane asks for strawberry ice cream. I am thankful for our afternoon rides on the levee, where between my daughter’s, ‘shoo cow,’ she makes me pull over so she can relieve herself — as she puts it, ‘like a real Delta girl.’ I do not know where she heard or learned that, but I am thankful for it too. I am thankful for the coming nights around fire pits with marshmallows and hot chocolate with grandparents telling stories, because all thankfulness exists in stories that dance in the starred sky.”
Geraldine Steverson, of Hollandale:
“I’m thankful for this season and just to have peace of mind. I’m also thankful for my family and that all is well with each of them.”
Stacye James, of Greenville:
“I am grateful to wake up each morning and walk in love with everyone I meet, sharing the joy and Love of Christ. I’m humbled to see my family have generations of believers who seek only to do good by God and man. I am grateful for learning wisdom and patience while living in this season. I look forward to the growth and cleanliness of Greenville and a more Inviting atmosphere for all everywhere.”
Teri Callender, of Aurora, Illinois:
“I’m thankful for everything! My family the small town I live in.. this beautiful weather. I’m thankful I am able to enjoy my older years. I’m thankful most of all for Jesus! Everything He done through His sacrifice is for all that would believe in Him.. my health good times and the bad.”
Jeremiah Carter, of Greenville:
“I am grateful for a lot of things but I am most grateful for my family, fiancee, friends, neighbors, and church family. I am grateful for the blessings and gifts I have received from our loving God.”
Daicee Davis, of Greenville:
“I’m thankful for my little brothers.”
Eric Harmon, of Cleveland:
“I’m so thankful for my Lord and Savior. If it were not for his mercy or grace no one could have a day of thanks or giving.”
Dana Gaines, of Fayette:
“I’m thankful for traveling grace to my destination.”
Tammy Reed, of Greenville:
“There are so many answers I can’t possibly choose just one, but of course, several immediately come to my mind. I am thankful for God, His grace, my precious family, my freedoms. I am thankful for my senses. I am thankful I can see beautiful sunrises and stunning sunsets, that I can smell honeysuckle when it blooms, that I can hear birds singing on a beautiful spring morning, that I taste the different foods that I love, and that I can feel the warmth of the hands that I love to hold. To have just one of these is something to be thankful for, but to be able to see, smell, hear, taste, and touch, are daily treasures that so many are not able to do. I am blessed and thankful.”
Diamond Olds, of Greenville:
“I’m thankful for family, especially my little kiddos and very thankful for life.”
Teresa Davis, of Winston-Salem, North Carolina:
“I am thankful for my dysfunctional functional family and the time I get to spend with them. I look forward to coming home to the Delta to see everyone.”
Shannon Adams, of Greenville:
“Every single day, I am thankful that we are one day closer to the return of Jesus than we have ever been before. But in terms of qualifying 2019, I am most thankful for the blessings of family. That after 22 years of parenting, and having endured the slow emptying of our nest (and the fear of that) for the last handful of years, we are starting to see the delight of building our family’s numbers again... as we celebrated a joyful wedding that gave us our first daughter-in-law.”
Robert Steverson, of Hollandale:
“I’m thankful to still be here after what I went through as far as my diagnosis and my road to recovery. The future looks bright and I’m thankful God brought me through it.”
Thirston Divinity, of Greenville:
“I’m thankful for true friends, family, and the ability to continue to grow and experience life.”
Patrice Johnson, of Washington D.C.:
“I’m thankful for the gift of life and that things are as well as they are. It’s generic but true. With my dad’s health challenge and a health scare with my mom, I’m grateful for life and that of my parents.”
Rebecca Sibert, of Eudora, Arkansas:
“I’m grateful that I have a place to live because I was very close to being homeless.”
Sharon Buchanan, of Hollandale:
“I’m thankful for family, life, and good health.”
Nikayla Washington, 8-year-old of Hollandale:
“I’m thankful for my mom and my family. I’m thankful for them because I have a place to stay and I’m able to see my family everyday.”
Jacqueline Carroll, of Hollandale:
“I’m thankful just to be alive and that my family is healthy and I’m just thankful to see another day, the sun is shining, we haven’t had any mishaps or anything like that.”
Cyndi Martyn, of Cleveland:
“What I am most grateful for this year is my family and that we still have my stepson with us. On May 26, my stepson went to the doctor with supposedly with the stomach flu but a nurse notice his systems and decided to check his sugar and it was 626. They immediately rushed him to the hospital and not long after, flew him by helicopter to Jackson. I am grateful for my mom taking us to the doctor that day because the doctors in Jackson told us if we hadn’t brought him when we did, he would probably had went into a coma or died. I still get emotional about what could have happened. He was diagnosed with type 1 Diabetes and he is only 14. I am also grateful my daughter has been seizure free for 10 years and off her medicine for three years with no trances or seizures. I am grateful for my parents for everything they do to help my family and our always there when I need them. I am grateful for my husband who continues to work hard and puts in any over time he can to provide for our family. I am grateful for that his does for us. I am grateful for my kids Abby, Caden, Alex, and Dawson. If it weren’t for them, I don’t think I would be who I am today. Most of all, I am grateful for my Lord Jesus Christ for watching over us and the many blessings he continues to give us.”
