Family is top reason for giving thanks

SANDPOINT - Family, friends, the simple joys in life.

It is easier than not to compile a list of things for which to be thankful. The more items you write down, the more that come to mind.

Yes, the economy is struggling, prices are up and families face the loss of their home.

But the things which make even the worst of trouble seem less terrible are what many are most grateful for. From family to living in a town like Sandpoint, from a nice dinner to soldiers being able to come home soon, area students and teachers remind us all how much we all have.

Below are students, teachers and staff from Sandpoint Charter School and Sandpoint Waldorf School  and what they are thankful for.

Sandpoint Charter School

Nancy Schmidt, science teacher - "I am grateful that I now live and work in the beautiful and wonderful town of Sandpoint. More importantly, I get to teach the great kids who live here. Being at Sandpoint Charter School has given me a really big family."

Alan Millar, principal - "I have the best job in town and possibly the entire world. Being the principal of our small charter school is rewarding, challenging, and seriously fun. I love being part of this community and the great students and passionate, dedicated teachers I get to see every day. I am excited about our new high school and thankful for the opportunity to work here."

Winter Smith, grade six - "I am thankful for my best friends and my family and I know they all love me."

Galen May, grade six - "I'm thankful for my family's help, my friends who I share good times with, and my dog who I love and care for."

Richard Kallage, band director - "I'm grateful I don't have to teach 'Hot Cross Buns.' "

Emily Merwin - "I am thankful for my whole family, teachers, and friends."

Kira Clawson - "I am grateful for all of my family and all the things people are willing to do for everyone. I love my friends; they are always there for me through thick and thin. I am grateful for my great-grandpa who just passed away and for Joyce and Chuck Spiller and family. I have all my great memories with me and I will never forget my loved ones."

Corrine Zamira Ariss - "I am thankful for my family, my animals, my house, my education, my food and water, and my life."

Matthew Cloud - "I am thankful that many people can have a nice dinner with friends and family. I am thankful that soldiers in the war can (soon) come home and have time with their family."

Charlene Rawuka - "What I'm thankful for is that my mom is OK, and that my sister is still with me …"

Meghan O'Hara, 12 - "I'm grateful for food, water, shelter, warm clothes, friends and family.  Can you imagine a life without these things?  I'm sure some people can't imagine this, but it's horrible. At the end of the day, we should be grateful that we have these things, and we should be sad that some people live without them.  We should be happy that we can have such a great Thanksgiving, when some people go without it."

Sandpoint Waldorf School

Nicolas Herrera, 6 - "I am grateful for getting to play in my house.  I am also grateful for the sea, for ice, for skiing and for mountains.  I'm grateful for my brother and sister because they do nice things for me.  I am grateful my Dad's ankle is getting better.  I am grateful for people living."

Gabriel Herrera, 9 - "I am grateful for family, food, water, and shelter."

Pilar Herrera, 12 - "This year, like all the other years so far, I am thankful for food, shelter, water, warm clothes, friends, family and all the other necessities of life.  In addition to those things, this year I am especially thankful that my family and our friends are making it through this  difficult time, due to different things going on in the economy, in life."