CONGRATULATIONS 

to the winners of our THANSKGIVING ESSAY CONTEST!!

Here are the winning essays:

​

When l was about 7 years old, l lost my little brother. He had bad asthma, and he had an attack in the middle of the night - they couldn’t save him.  My mother was devastated. l use that word now, but then, all l knew was that she would sit and cry, or stare into space, or forget to cook, or to pick me up from school.

I asked where my father was, and l was told no one knew. I didn’t want to get angry or scared, because l didn’t want to upset my mother. l held everything in. l played alone, ate alone, cried alone.

One day a new family moved in next door. They had 3 children, one of whom was about my age. I sat on my stoop and watched them move in, bringing furniture, boxes, even a dog. Some of the boxes were marked “toys”, and “games”. l couldn’t imagine having so many toys and games that you needed boxes to put them in. 

Out on the stoop again, alone, a little boy approached me with a wagon. In the wagon was a cowboy doll, and a rubber ball. He asked if l wanted a ride in his wagon, and if l wanted to play with him. I remember jumping into the rusty green metal wagon, and being pulled over the rough sidewalk while holding the cowboy on my lap. l had never been so happy. 

Andre and l remained friends for years, playing in that wagon, until my mother decided it was time to move into a larger apartment in another part of town. Just before we left, l ran to Andre and hugged him, and told him he was my best friend. And he was.

I still remember his face, although now l am 62 years old, and have children and grandchildren of my own. In my heart l thank Andre every day for the gift of his innocence and friendship, and for rescuing me from the loneliness and despair that l didn’t even know l had.

My first born son is named Andre. 

Rayna Foster-DeAngelis

​

​

For rising suns and setting clouds

For robins and bluejays  that chirp out loud.

For breezes and fires when fall begins

For oceans and waters that cleanse the skin.

For neighbors and people who help and care

For relatives, family, further and near.

For all of my blessings and all of my strife,

For everything coming to me in this life.

Gayle Ward

​

Honorable mention:

One defines gratitude as an act of feeling and showing appreciation, being thankful. 

What am I grateful for?

To me it is similar to building a jigsaw puzzle with my corners being  my health, my family, my friends and a roof over my head. All self explanatory strengthening factors but never, never taken for granted. 

I happily connect the pieces with everyday life with being able to make people laugh and smile. Whether it is with me or at me, no matter the eyes still crinkle. That I can breathe in nature and still find the smallest of amazements. That in the quietest of moments you hear the most inspiring things. That thankfully opportunity does knock. Just be open to opening the door. 

Grateful for the pieces of the puzzle that  challenge us to continue to learn, step outside the comfort zone and share. 

​

Ann McIlvain