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101 things to be absolutely thankful for this Thanksgiving101 things to be absolutely thankful for this Thanksgiving

What are you thankful for?

Instead of us writing everything that we are thankful for, we thought it would be much more fun to have 95 (at least) of you share the thing that you are absolutely thankful for this Thanksgiving.

The Health Matters team will get things started, and then we would love to hear from you about what you are thankful for.

We will post what you are thankful for on our Health Matters website (we will use only first names or initials) and your thankful thought.  Help us reach, and exceed 101 things!

Our goal with this idea is to inspire you to come back to this page and use it as a resource to brighten your day, lift your spirit and receive inspiration from those you work with. Please send us your thoughts to FocusOnEmployees@kingcounty.gov.

  1. I am grateful that my husband has found a job after being unemployed for 7 months.  - CM

  2. I am grateful that my newly graduated from college son got a “real job”. - RH

  3. That my family’s medical care is covered by my benefits. I have friends who can’t afford to have their family on their benefits or who are afraid they will lose their basic health coverage. Makes me very grateful that my family has great preventive care and great medical care should one of us get ill or injured. - BB

  4. I’ve had a lot of blessings this year, but I’m very grateful to have a fun and challenging job, in my field, after nearly three years of unemployment. - RR

  5. I am thankful for my family.  They surround me with love and they actively maintain treasured family traditions. - KS


  6. I am very grateful for: My loving family; True friends; Ability to improve my own health and well-being; Employment; Shelter; Clothing; Food – CHOCOLATE! - SM
    Jake and Stella


  7. I am most grateful for my housemates, Jake and Stella. They are two of the most extraordinary and loyal friends anyone could hope for, and I count my blessings every day when I come home to their loving kisses and wagging tails.  - JC


  8. I am thankful for soccer games in the rain, homemade glazed donuts on Halloween, dinner at Salty's restaurant with my sweetie, and the quiet evening hours after kiddos go to bed - seeing their healthy beautiful faces calm and happy dreaming of waking up to another day. - LK

  9. 11 months ago my wife was diagnosed with stage 4 ovarian cancer and today she is cancer free. It is to early to call it remission but are family is so very thankful for this excellent report.  - Craig

  10. I am very thankful that my husband had his last chemo session on Tuesday, Nov. 1.  - Debra


  11. I am so grateful for the health care coverage I receive as a Public Health employee. I recently had lumbar fusion for a back problem that dragged on for 6 years. I am so much more comfortable now, and able to function at a much higher level in my workplace. I've gotten my life back, thanks to my employer!  - P P


  12. I am thankful that I have a job with so many people that are unemployed. -  RL


  13. Thanks to a miracle and modern medicine my daughter is alive and back to her daily activities and working. Last Thanksgiving she was on a ventilator in ICU/Burn unit and not expected to live. - CT


  14. I am so very grateful and thankful about having a job, a home, people to love, pets-especially my new puppy, my friends that live with me and live far away or close by. I am so very grateful for the health insurance that is provided for me at my job, which allows me to have the best possible physicians to deal with health problems, I am very grateful for the kindness and professionalism of my coworkers and my supervisor. They are fantastic—the best! I am grateful for Value Village and all the wonderful thrift stores in the area, as I strongly believe in recycling and I can afford to buy used clothing that I couldn’t afford to buy new. This last week I purchased a used oriental rug which had no stains which will add a nice touch to a room with worn tile. I buy my holiday and birthday gifts at thrift stores throughout the year (it’s especially fun on 50% off days ok, that’s enough encouragement and free advertising I am giving the thrift stores) for many friends in our community. (Ok just one more... Many are things that have never been used. ) I am very grateful for the kind and helpful attitude and behavior of most of the people I see every day that ride the bus, walk the sidewalks, in the grocery stores and thrift shops. Too me this is the smallest … big city I have ever lived in. The NW is great, especially the weather, which some of you may laugh about or throw things at me for, but I grew up in North Dakota/ Minnesota weather- and so the snow, ice, rain are very mild here and most the time is gone in a few days. I can keep going on and on finding thousands of people I appreciate, because without their love, life would be meaningless. On and this is the time of year I want to be donating food, money , warm coats, and anything that will help or those that have less. Hope you will too! Do you remember the movie “Pay it Forward, “ you just never know . I hope for you to have a happy and grateful Thanksgiving as I am sure to have. -  GF


  15. I am thankful for my congregation and friends, which are really also my family, since I have no living close relatives. I'm thankful for Israeli dance, and that I got to go to Israel this year. Most of all I'm thankful for freedom to worship God. - RC


  16. I am grateful for my loving, exuberant, healthy family and for the creative, supportive people I get to work with. -- GS


  17. My work has meaning for the greater good of our communities!  - Pam


  18. I am thankful for PeopleSoft queries!  - KS


  19. I am thankful for so many blessings in my life, which include my amazing husband of 29 years and son, family, friends, health, etc. and last, but certainly not least my awesome job with King County! I truly enjoy working with each and every member in my work area of professional employees who “getter done!”  - RJ

  20. I am thankful I was hired as a “TLT” rather than a “STT”, when I didn’t even know there were such categories or what they meant. Getting benefits, especially health insurance, is such a blessed surprise. I’m the health insurance provider for my family, so we were a little nervous the last 8 months when I was between jobs and had no coverage. I’m thankful to have been hired into a good group of co-workers who are a pleasure to be around every day. And I’m thankful to be able to have good bus service again. I worked in Bellevue the past several years, and living in the SeaTac/Burien area, I didn’t even try to commute by bus. Having free bus service on top of not having to pay for gas and wear and tear on my good, old car are extra blessings. -  CH


  21. I’m forever grateful for my foster family who, though poor, crowded, loud and argumentative, showed me the vast richness of love, acceptance and loyalty. Their influence helped me develop awareness of and compassion for others, and helped improve my bond with my biological family. It’s a long-ago experience that I treasure.- JR


  22. I am thankful for the compassionate and sharp people at the Seattle Cancer Care Alliance, for having King County’s health coverage, and an amazing support system of caring co-workers, family and friends, which have gotten me through a dramatic year of cancer diagnosis and treatment with the best possible outcome (so far), and an even better appreciation of my fellow human being. -YW

  23. My faith, my family, my job!! Every day at the TB Clinic, and on the streets, I see people less fortunate than myself, and I thank God for everything. My family has struggled this year trying to get healthy and find good jobs. Even when things are tough, it can always be worse and it is for millions of people! - LM

  24. I am so very thankful for the roof over my head! Although like many others, my home has lost value, but is not "underwater". - SY


  25. I am incredibly thankful for a good job with excellent benefits when so many are out of work and have been for an extended time. I am thankful for a loving family and incredibly supportive co-workers. And lastly I am thankful to live in a part of the country where the people care about each other and are willing to give of their time and resources generously. - FW


  26. I am thankful that my husband's heart condition is stable for another year! - KB


  27. I am thankful to God for all the blessings: my life, my health, my family, my friends, my job and for keeping us safe from any disaster – that I am so greateful! - EH


  28. I am thankful for the most amazing surprise of my life… a healthy, happy and beautiful baby girl. I will forever be a better person because of her. - JK


  29. Despite the misconception the general public has about public employees, I work in a department and with co-workers, who continue to care about doing a great job everyday for the citizens of King County. I’m proud to be a DNRP employee. But, it isn’t all work, DNRP also values work life balance so I’m also blessed with wonderful kids and an amazing partner. - GO


  30. I am thankful for my family and an employer that allows us to have holidays off to spend time with them. - TP


  31. I am thankful that my husband came back home. He has PTSD and has moved out of our home 3 times in the last 5 years, due to stress. Thanks to the "Making Life Easier Program" for being there to support us. - SC


And for those of you who might like a few tips on how to escape or reduce your stress through the holiday season, check out the Top 10 holiday stress relievers.