As Thanksgiving quickly approaches, many Americans are taking this time to reflect on their blessings. All those associated with West Bloomfield High School  have a wonderful community to be thankful for. However, there are plenty of other things students are fondly remembering with gratitude this Thanksgiving season. For those who may be questioning what they have to be thankful for this year, other students have provided some useful inspiration. 

1. Friends

Lots of WBHS students have friends that they can always count on to turn their frown upside down.  

Senior Joel Mathew said, “I’m thankful for my friends; they give me so much joy and happiness.”

 If the excited buzz of the lunchroom filled with friends unpacking their time apart and groups of bright smiles in the hallways are any indication, many students can agree with him. 

In a more specific anecdote, senior Evan McDonald explained that he is “thankful for [his friend] Finn for getting me a spot in the stir fry line.” 

Oftentimes, it’s the little things that really make the difference in a friend’s life. For those looking to spread joy and kindness this holiday season, performing any small act of friendship is likely to be appreciated.

2. Warmth

Despite the great importance of warmth, it’s often taken for granted as most people have never had to worry about their heat being turned off or being left outside on a cold winter night. However, some students already recognize the importance of keeping warm. 

Junior Hannah Fridman stated she’s thankful for her “weighted blanket and my dog because they keep me warm.”  

An important component to warmth is dryness as being wet often slows down the warming up process. 

Senior Ameemah Rehan commented on this idea, explaining, “I’m thankful for my puffer jacket—it keeps me safe from the rain and it keeps me warm when I’m cold.” 

As the weather gets colder and colder, warmth becomes more and more important. Anyone who’s looking for a little extra cheer this year may find joy in starting to focus on the simple pleasures of life such as being warm.

3. Pets

Though not everyone has a pet, for those who do, they’re often a source of great joy and comfort. 

Senior Ella Moon explained, “I’m thankful for my dog because she’s excited every time I come home.” 

Such wonderful furry companions brighten the lives of many owners by helping with mental health, building responsible habits, and pulling families together. Though they may not be quite the same as the rest of the family, pets still deserve all the same love and appreciation as anyone else. 

4. Food

Everyone needs to eat and most students have easy access to meals. However, there are plenty who aren’t so fortunate. For those lucky enough to expect food whenever they want and even have a choice in the kind they get, forgetting to appreciate food can be quite easy. Nevertheless, there are some students for whom food is at the top of the list.    

Senior Chloe Beaulieu commented that she’s thankful for lunch “because I’m always hungry.” 

Many people have a specific meal that they’re particularly fond of. One way to grow one’s appreciation for food is to do the prep and cooking oneself. This creates a deeper understanding of all the work that goes into each delicious meal. 

5. Grades

School grades are a touchy subject for many students, but most have at least one shining A or B to be proud of. In some cases, simply passing a class may be a huge accomplishment for a student. 

Senior Eric Kocher reflected on his academic success stating, “I’m thankful that I’m not failing calc class.” 

Clearly, with his strong A, Eric is quite far from failing BC Calculus, but this is certainly not without a lot of hard work on his part. Teachers also put a lot of effort into helping their students succeed in class. When all of that work pays off students can pat themselves on the back and thank their teachers for getting them to that point.  

6. Rain

Water is an essential factor of life on Earth, yet it is another thing easily taken for granted until access is limited. One important source of water is rain which waters crops, fills natural bodies of water, and keeps humans and animals hydrated. It’s also extremely calming for many people. 

Senior James Patterson voiced his gratitude for rain as “it gives a cool… atmosphere.” 

The beauty of rain both in appearance and effect is worthy of appreciation. Though it’s easy to become annoyed with the dreary weather and lack of visibility for driving, a perspective shift to instead consider the comforting sounds and bountiful crops being nourished can open people up to a world of gratitude for the rain.

7. Sports Teams

The relationship between a sports player and their teammates is unlike any other. The level of community can create lasting bonds and lifelong memories to be cherished forever. 

Junior Daniel Kim described one such memory with the swim team, explaining, “one day last year there was a snow day and some of the swim boys got together to have team bonding.” They went sledding and had a lot of fun. 

The bond between teammates has the added element of a shared passion that makes them all the more special. Any inspiration and extra positivity coming from teammates is especially important as it can help athletes find the motivation to continue to work hard at their sport. Anyone who participates in a sport with a team can look back at all the growth they’ve had resulting from their teammates and gain a newfound appreciation for such impactful people. 

8. Family

Nobody could possibly exist without a family. This may look a bit different for each person, but whether biological or not the vast majority of people have some kind of community they would look to as a family. Plenty of students commented that family is something they’re most thankful for. Some people took a general view of their appreciation for family like Senior Sarah Laurman who stated, “I’m grateful for my family because they always support me…” 

Others had a specific story involving family members that invoked gratitude such as Senior James Lee who explained his appreciation for his  parents who took him out to dinner after he received a poor test grade. Families provide a strong sense of foundation for a person’s character. With a different family, each individual would likely turn out quite differently, so it’s important for people to recognize the family that has played a part in crafting their identity. 

9. Significant Others

For those students lucky enough to consider themselves taken, a significant other likely plays a significant role in their day to day lives. The allure of a relationship owes itself to cute Valentine’s Day gifts, a whole lot of firsts, and a genre of affection unlike any other. Romantic relationships also come with a lot of hard work, emotional peaks and troughs previously unimaginable, and, after a while, a solid partnership based on loyalty and dedication. 

On a personal note, Senior Finn McIsaac expressed his appreciation for his girlfriend, who happens to be me, for being “very supportive, and caring, and pretty.” 

Slightly less sentimentally, senior Kate Shepard explained her gratitude for “[her] friend’s hoco after party getting raided by the cops” as that’s how she connected with her boyfriend. 

Regardless of how it came to be, a romantic relationship takes a lot of effort from both parties, so it’s imperative to remember to show appreciation for one’s significant other.

10. Self

Though there are plenty of things to be thankful for in this world, one of the simplest and easiest to overlook is one’s self. It’s important to express gratitude to one’s body and mind for simply existing. Doing so is extremely beneficial to mental health. Some students are already expressing their appreciation for themselves such as senior Brent Armstrong who claimed, “I’m the GOAT.”

 Fellow senior Carter Woolbright, who had a similar notion, explained he was grateful for himself “‘cause I wouldn’t really wanna be anyone else.”

 He went on to describe the appreciation he felt for his friends, family, and life overall which allowed him to be grateful for simply being himself. Above all else in this season of gratefulness, it’s important to practice gratitude to yourself simply for being fully and completely you—like nobody else ever could. 

Although it’s easy to wax poetic about the way life isn’t necessarily living up to one’s hopes and dreams, it’s important for each individual to take time to focus on all the things they have to be grateful for. From the important people that make up one’s community to all of the essential elements that make up the world, there is an infinite amount of things to notice. Once people start trying to find things to appreciate, they become infinitely more apparent. This Thanksgiving is the perfect opportunity to really tap into the meaning of the holiday and contemplate everything that you’re most thankful for!