What Are You Thankful For?

Each year the Telegram Newspaper gives people from the community an opportunity to express what they are Thankful for. I am thankful for all of you.

2020 has been a journey. GOD has given us His love, the love we need to serve our communities with dignity. With His grace we were given the concern, foresight and patience to join energy recognizing service is our common goal. His mercy has blessed us with enough health and stamina to serve. We have grown through it all and are not finished yet

Curtisene Barge.

I am most thankful for the privilege of good health and financial stability for myself, and most of my children, and for those who continue to guide and push me toward using my privilege to help others who are less fortunate and marginalized

Geri Biggs

. I am grateful to be alive and thriving through a worldwide pandemic. I am especially grateful for the covering over people I love and my friends.

I thank God that our suffering country can look forward to dynamic, astute and caring national leadership in 2021.

Last but not least, I am grateful for the superior and loving community leadership in the Tri-Cities area. We have a community of caring and loving people who support one another. I'd like to give a special shout-out to Theresa Landrum, a supernova community organizer and one you can count on.

I'm sending peace and blessings to everyone. Happy Holidays and please wear your mask!

Emma Lockridge

Despite the Covid-19 pandemic and the general ups and downs of life, there is a lot to be thankful for. I am grateful for my good physical and mental health, along with my family's. With the future being so uncertain at the beginning of the pandemic, it was not easy to remain positive. However, once I started to look at all the blessings in my life and around me, it was easier to put things into perspective. I am still able to maintain a sense of "normalcy" by attending church services, seminars, workshops, and even working out virtually. I am grateful for the technology and job flexibility that allows me and my husband to be able to work from home. I'm also thankful for the money I have been able to save by staying home. Technology like Zoom has kept me connected with close friends and extended family for everything from funerals to birthday and wedding celebrations.

I am also thankful for the opportunity to give back during this time with my continued involvement with the Western Wayne NAACP and a food ministry, where I help deliver food to families and seniors. It's a great reminder of the commitment and sacrifices that essential workers are making every day. From the grocery store clerks to the nurses and doctors, I am thankful for all of them.

While the pandemic remains challenging, I remain thankful for all the good that it has brought me. The sunrise and sunset, birds chirping, and dogs barking are all things I will never take for granted anymore because I know there are so many that are shut-in or hospitalized that can no longer experience such things. My list could go on, but I am most thankful for my faith and belief that His grace and mercy covers me every day.

-Ashanti Bell Patterson

I am thankful for being alive to see 83 years of age. I am also thankful to live to see my children and grandchildren and be a part of their lives.

Robert Wilson

While I'm always thankful for my family, health, friends and my customers, I'm extra thankful for the technology that helps us accomplish everything that we need to do. This year, we've all had to be resilient and I'm blessed and grateful that we can keep working and making technology affordable and accessible for all

Willie Brake

Amidst Covid 19, one of the most devastating pandemics in my lifetime that has killed 258,846 deaths in the United States alone (as of Tuesday, November 24th) I would have to say I am most thankful for Life. I am also thankful that this global pandemic has forced all of us to pause and pay attention to all of the social injustice around the world, but particularly in the United States of America; as we all witnessed the murder of yet another black man George Floyd. Although 2020 has been filled with so much loss, as the year is quickly coming to an end, I am hopeful and inspired by the actions of so many people working toward the greater good.

Judy Neal

I am thankful for the health and safety of my family and friends. I am also thankful for you and the Telegram for giving our young people the opportunity to develop life changing skills, relationships and experiences.

Lynette Massey

I am thankful for my two sons that have grown up to be kind and decent young men. Secondly, I am thankful for the enduring spirit I have found in people that walk with Christ. The fate of the world and eternity rest on them

Randall Mosley

Going through and getting healed in the name of Jesus of a health issue. I am so blessed and thankful to be able to express my thankfulness. I thank The Lord for blessing me with a wonderful family and friends and keeping us safe and healthy from what is going on in the world.

Thank you Father.

Angela Butcher Ballard

What I'm thankful for is that I have a great support system surrounding me and my family. You guys really push me to be better every day.

I am also thankful for my beautiful girfiend Martia. She has been everthing I needed to help me grew.

Last and most importantly, I'm very thankful for God in my life. I wouldn't be what I am today if he did ot give me the strength and courage.

Larnell Hill

I'm thankful that I am able to give and receive. I'm also thankful for Love, Peace and Happiness.

Artanza McRae

I am grateful and thankful for my family and friends. I'm grateful that I'm able to help my community thrive and keep them informed on what's going on in the political world. I am grateful for meeting you and working with you.

God is definitely going to bless and keep us all during this Pandemic.

Tammy Prince

What I am thankful for: in 2020 has showed me that even when the world stops, life still goes on. I'm thankful for my talent with baking that helped me continue to run my business even during a pandemic and I'm thankful for my unborn son. He keeps me even more motivated to keep doing my best because it's not just me I'm doing it for anymore.

Krystal Steward

In truth, I am thankful for American voters choosing President Biden and VP Harris to lead our country into a better future.

Donna Milller

I'm thankful to wake up every morning. I am also thankful to have my family, close friends and my mind.

Derek Wilson

I am so thankful for my life. I am thankful for my children, family and friends. I am thankful for food, clothing, shelter over my head and transportation. I am thankful for good people that are willing to give me a chance and for pushing me to be a better me. And most of all I am thankful for the Holy Spirit that leads and guides me through seen and unseen circumstances that is designed to hurt me or make me better.

LaShanna Mitchell Stinson

I am thankful for the following...

My health because I am still here but saddened by those that lost their life during the pandemic. My home because it provides me with a peaceful place to pray meditate and stay healthy in. My family because they are my loves and give me a sense of well being and purpose. My friends because they keep me grounded and are always redefining what loyalty and commitment truly mean to me and to those in the community. God because He provides me with blessings...Seen and Unforeseen. Know God...Know Peace!

Darwin Griffin

2020 has taught me to be thankful for my life. It's a long ride that can be cut in an instant. This year has proved that life is not guaranteed especially for a member belonging to my demographic. I am a 27 year old author and college graduate. No matter where the rest of my life takes me, I'm thankful I made it this far. We all know I wasn't supposed to. I'm thankful for the people I have in my life; friends, family, strangers, everyone who has crossed my path. You all have your own unique story, and I'm thankful that you've shared it with me. I'm thankful for the people whose love I don't have to question. I'm thankful because that love drives me to be a better person.

Xavier Jones

I am so thankful this year for the wonderful relationships that I have with friends and family. 2020 has been quite the challenge, And we all understand better than ever that it is our interdependence that makes us great. Whether this experience is National, local, in our services to one another or in our individual families, we are better together. I am so grateful and thankful for the people that I LOVE!

Velma Overman

COVID-19 and the entire Corona Virus left many families and individuals troubled with the unknowing of the future. However, this pandemic required the world, including myself to appreciate my family and loved ones more. As evidenced by the pandemic, we have continued to be unsure of the future. As Thanksgiving is here, I would be doing a disservice to my peers and family if I didn't acknowledge my community and family. I am thankful for my hometown of River Rouge for continuing to assist in molding me into the young, community-oriented men I have become today. I am thankful for the women in my life (daughter, mom, fiancé and sister) who continue to push me and are always in my corner providing me support no matter the situation. I am also thankful for community leader, Gina Wilson Steward, who has continued to be not only a social activist for the entire Downriver Community and superior mentor, but a friend who is there when you need her and only wants to ensure our beautiful communities reach their full potential.

Joshua Wheeler

I am thankful to be alive and to have another year with my family. I am also thankful and blessed to have the friends and family that I have in my life.

Michael Wilson

First of all I am thankful for the regular things such as good health, family, friends and my church family. I am thankful that God is giving me the strong function of helping the family during the pandemic. But most of all I am thankful that the election is over, not because we have a new president, but because there will be some respect for the office of President of the United States. Just like the office of Pastor, you don't want to see any pastor openly disrespect the office.

Whether the leader of the free world is Democrat or Republican, I want to see that office respected. For the last four years we have not seen this. We saw lying, fighting and other bad behavior. I am thankful that this is almost over.

Arthur Willis

I am thankful for my family and friends. COVID has shown me how important family and friends are in life.

Robert Oliver

I'm truly blessed that my family, friends and myself are alive in the midst of this season. Glory be to God. And I'm thankful for Gina, you have always been right on time when I needed you.

Selena Smith

I'm thankful for God's protection of my family and I. I am thanking God for the continued health and wealth of my positive circle. Without him these things are not possible.

Latasha Johnson

I'm thankful for God and his grace and mercy. I'm thankful for my life, health and strength. I'm thankful for my family and loving friends. I'm thankful for having You (Gina) in my life and being such an instrumental piece to this community. You are a precious diamond and you have real love in your heart. I wish we had more people like you. I'm thankful that God has given me the opportunity to become the man that I am, having a heart for the community and becoming a better man for tomorrow. I'm so Thankful.

Donald Agee

I am very thankful to God for my wife, my family and church family for their love and support. Although I suffered the lost of my son. I thank God for comfort and giving me strength to endure. I am very grateful to be alive and blessed! I will bless the Lord at all times. His praises shall continually be in my mouth

Julius Collins.

As I reflect on this year's pandemic, virus, and the changes we have had to incorporate in our lives, I have become so appreciative of LIFE, how precious it is, of PEOPLE and FAMILY, we need them, most of all The goodness of OUR LORD and SAVIOR, GOD's GRACE and MERCY! I am so thankful for yesterday, today, and tomorrow. The POWER of PRAYER. So in all, I'm Thankful for my family and life.

Vicki Dobbins

I am thankful for my family and how God has kept us safe. I am also thankful for the people who got out and voted

Cornelius Cooper

I am thankful for the opportunity to serve. It's all about giving. For whom much is given, much is required. I am grateful that this year I realized that I have to take care of myself so that I'm healthy enough to give to others.

Dr. Ingrid Wilson Johnson,

I am thankful this year first and foremost for my family, biological and nonbiological. Without them and their support I would not be able to make it through these trying times. I'm also thankful for my health and the constant increase in my real estate business. What I'm most thankful for is the prospect of a better year and years to come. The year 2020 has been quite an emotional roller coaster ride for the whole world. It has definitely taught a lot of us how to slow down and reconnect with ourselves and our loved ones. Dedicating more time for each other and getting to know your spouses and the people you live with on a higher level. I look forward to the year ahead and thankful that I am in good health and a sane mind to see and experience it with those around me.

Kerbi Niang

In the mist of the world's chaos I'm most thankful for Good Health and Life. I'm so Grateful for all those moments with family and friends, you just don't realize how valuable those memories are. This year God has brought upon us stillness and within that process I am grateful for the ability to understand and grow in self-Love. I'm grateful for the strength and determination to understand the grace of God. This year I have been able to start a new business that allows me to appreciate each and every time I'm able to bring smiles to the community.

Carmen Oliver

I am thankful to God the Creator of all things. I am thankful to my mom and dad for being the portal to life. I am thankful for my family and friends for being a support system in this life. I am thankful for my ancestors who were courageously in the fight for freedom when they were taken from their homes and sold into an unknown place. I am thankful for what is to come. To truly be a free person. To taste the virtues of life in it's purest form of being a human in a land to live economically fruitful. And to what is to come, from a lineage of 400 years in a life that will provide restoration, protection, freedom and justice of the Black Americans descendants of American chattel slavery.

Dakima Harris

I am thankful for being able to breath, walk, talk, & move on a day to day basis, thankful for my Family, & you know who you are!. But mostly I am Thankful for, Our Father who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done on earth, as it is in heaven. Amen, Amen, Amen...........

K.B. Steward

"In a year full of unexpected events, I have to say more than any other year I am thankful for my health and the health of those around me. I am thankful for my faith in God which I leaned on extensively this year. I am thankful for my husband, children, and friends like you" Happy Thanksgiving Gina

Leslie Windles