Nov 24, 2022 3 min read

I’ve dedicated my Thanksgiving column to teens’ gratitude for over a decade.

These excellent young people are attendees and staff at our Common Ground Teen Center; they are Peer Educators and people of great worth.

n I am grateful for the compassion and support I receive in my life. It is very difficult to include someone who requires their service dog at all times, and I am shocked every day at how easy my family and friends make it seem. I am also grateful to have my dog so I can function in life, even with a disability. – Lizzy Brison, 16

n More so now than ever, I am thankful for my friends who endure so much and still support each other wholeheartedly. – Rowan Curry, 18

n I’m thankful for my family and my friends. – Isaac Dyer, 14

n Although I would like to say that I am grateful for everything in my life, I’m especially grateful for my family right now. They are just the best support system that I could ask for whenever I’m stressed or overwhelmed, and they have helped me through so much this year. I’ve learned recently that I should never take anything for granted, so I am using that to try spending as much time with my family as I can during this time of year. – Jai Gough, 16

n I’m thankful for my life, my family, and my friends. – Adele Hollowood, 13

n I am thankful for finding wonderful and friendly communities around my area. – Logan Hollowood, 14

n I am thankful for my family, house, friends, food, and the Teen Center …. and having full-size candy bars. – Michael McGinnis, 13

n I am thankful for the Teen Center, all of my friends, my brother, my parents, and my home. – Katherine McGinnis, 17

n I’m thankful for my friends. Through my toughest times they have been there for me. Despite my changes, and theirs, we never part. – Sarah Secco, 14

n I’m thankful for D&D Night, my laptop, the Teen Center, and my family. – James Warcholak, 13

n I’m thankful for melatonin gummies and friends. – Anonymous, 16

n I’m thankful for family, God, friends, chickens, and country music. – Anonymous, 15

Have a question? Send it to Dr. Mary Jo Podgurski’s email podmj@healthyteens.com