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Readers share what they are grateful for

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In honor of Thanksgiving, the Daily Pilot asked readers what are they thankful for. Below are their edited answers.

As Thanksgiving approaches, what I am thankful for this year? Let me share and express my thanks:

•I was breathing and, in general, feeling pretty healthy.

•My wife gave me a kiss this morning and told me she loved me.

•Both of my children have great jobs and are safe and well.

•I am a citizen of a great nation, and I get to vote every year on how to make it better.

•A good friend called last Friday and invited me to go out to lunch. (I have a friend.)

•My home is safe, warm, secure and paid for.

•Today I ate breakfast, lunch and dinner. (Many people won’t get meals today.)

•I got an email from a former student of mine recommending me to do consulting work for his company.

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•I just successfully completed a consulting project involving the search, recruitment and placement of a vice president of operations for a client of mine.

•I am working from my own home office. President Obama works from the White House, whereas I work from the Brown House.

I realize how rich I really am, and I am truly thankful for all that I have.

Al Morelli

Costa Mesa

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My neighborhood is rife with blessings: my cordial neighbors of diverse backgrounds; the school soccer field down the street around which we walk every evening; the tree silhouettes there, backlit by sunsets or moonlight.

I am thankful for and proud of my gainfully employed son, who grew up here. And how lucky to be married to a man who takes the time to drive us to a wilder place like Crystal Cove to see a white-tailed Kite sitting on a tall shrub, the shimmering Pacific Ocean, a mother with her polka-dot-skirted girls. Daily thanksgiving for life on Earth.

Teresa Cullen

Irvine

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I am thankful for a loving wife and children who inspire me to be a better husband, father and person.

Doug Stevens

Newport Beach

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I am thankful for the Daily Pilot, the thinking-man’s newspaper. Maybe that is hyperbole but where else in print can a reader find concise erudition on a regular basis? Unfiltered, fresh and useful is the Daily Pilot.

Our area is home to some of the most interesting people in the world, and in the Daily Pilot we rediscover that every week.

Ross Melin

Newport Beach

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Wow, where do I start?

So many things to be thankful for in 2013: good health, love, a job, faith, America, family, friends and many, many other things that don’t come to mind at this very moment.

But without a doubt, the two things that I’m most thankful for aren’t even “things” at all. They are my two wonderful children, Brian and Natalie Tetreault. I’m truly blessed and thankful for these two. I love these two!

Bob Tetreault

Costa Mesa

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This 89-year-old is thankful for Newport Beach’s Central Orange Coast YMCA.

The Y has a wide variety of programs that serve all ages. I started attending a water aerobics class three days a week about 10 years ago, “the active adult workout.”

After a knee replacement, I switched to a two-day workout, “healthy joints,” in the 10-foot-deep pool. This is great for aging arthritic bodies and facilitates healing.

As I recovered, I continued with both classes since I enjoyed the activity and the interaction with the groups in the water. Recently a small skin surgery prohibited my fun in the sun but opened a new opportunity inside the building: a “senior fit” exercise class. What a great workout!

Now I am back in the water three days and inside two. The Y gets my heart rate up and keeps my joints flexible, lungs breathing deeply and spirits up. Thank you, YMCA!

Betts Harley

Costa Mesa

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I am thankful for my family, who I get to come home to every day: my son and my husband. Our family unit is small, but these people mean the whole world to me.

If one of us is having a difficult day, we can always make that person feel better with a hug or a laugh. I am thankful that my husband cooks delicious meals for us even after working full-time. I am thankful that my full-time job gives me vacation days that I can use to attend special school events for my son or spend quality time with my family.

I am thankful that my son is so smart, loving and kind, especially with my mom. He is such a good grandson. I am truly blessed and thankful.

Carrie Ramlow

Newport Beach

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On this Thanksgiving Day, I am thankful for my beautiful wife, Jennifer. She is the “stock up queen” for our home, a technology wizard and my go-to girl for all things spreadsheet related.

Thank you, Jennifer. I wouldn’t last a day without you!

Jeff Diercksmeier

Costa Mesa

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I am thankful every day that my son Erich Vogel was a registered donor.

His death from a heart attack a little more than four years ago was a huge tragedy for our family and friends, but it was a gift to more than 64 people, even though none of his major organs could be used. They were no longer viable because of the heart attack. The 64 people who received his gifts were recipients of tissue, skin, bones and corneas. To those folks, these parts of my son were very important.

I’m sure of their gratitude even though I don’t know any of them. As a Donate Life ambassador, I’ve met recipients of organs, tissues and corneas. Every one of them expresses overwhelming gratitude. Many waited a long time to receive what they needed.

When I hear their gratitude, it fills up the empty place in my heart. Erich’s thoughtful gifts to others are what keeps me going and makes me thankful.

Jan Rovan

Costa Mesa

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This year I am grateful for my loving, supportive husband, Jack, and my 5-year-old son, Jonas, who brightens all my days and warms my nights. Love you both dearly.

Mary Ann Wettler

Costa Mesa

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This year I’m especially thankful for the members of the local press, who spend long hours attending meetings, interviewing subjects and presenting the real, honest-to-goodness news to us, promptly, accurately and without bias.

Without our friends at the Daily Pilot and the Orange County Register, we would be left to get the “news” from a few geriatric bloggers like me, and that can’t be right!

So today I’m thankful for those bright, young people who cover the Newport-Mesa: Bradley Zint and Jeremiah Dobruck of the Daily Pilot and Antonie Boessenkool and Sonali Kohli of the Register, as well as their compatriots and editors who toil on our behalf.

I also thank my lovely and patient wife of more than 46 years, who tolerates my own late meeting hours and even later forays into the sometimes absurd to produce my blog. And I wish you all a very happy Thanksgiving.

Geoff West

Costa Mesa

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