Thankful Across America: Sharing Your Gratitude

We asked Patch readers across the country what they were thankful for this year and they responded with amazing words and images.

They shared stories of moms cheering daughters through dark days of illness. Grandfathers celebrating milestone birthdays of 80 and 90. Beloved children, nieces, nephews and pets.

(Then there was the particularly adorable cow named Shrek. What's not to be thankful for there?)

Enjoy our photo gallery and read some extended thoughts of gratitude from our readers below.

Happy Thanksgiving and have a wonderful Hanukkah!

Nadia Cavagliere Evans of Farmingdale, NY
"I am profoundly grateful for my mom, Ornella Cavagliere. In the last three years of my battle of a serious, chronic health condition, she has been unwavering in her support and her 'cheerleading.' Every day she tries to maintain an upbeat and positive attitude to keep me, and all of us, going. Thank goodness for the love of a mom!"

Linda Bustinduy of Union City, CA
"I am 63 years old. I take no pills and am pretty healthy. I’m thankful. I have a mother 90 years old. She can’t remember much, but she remembers me. I’m thankful. I have a daughter and a grand-daughter. I love them so much and they love me. I’m thankful. I thought my life was over when my husband of 33 years had died from cancer 1/7/08. I have a husband I’ve been married to now for 3 years. I am thankful for my husband and how he makes me feel so important. I have a brother that goes and visits my mom in the care home 3 times a week. I’m thankful. I  have a job in Mountain View for  32 years now.  I’m thankful. Life is Good."

Norma Bosley of Owings Mills, MD
"I am so blessed to be the Gramma of Oliver and Finley. They bring untold joy in my life every day."

Edward E. Schudel of Reston, VA
"I am thankful for having two wonderful nieces who keep me cool and hip. I am so proud of them. Alexis is a sophomore at Penn State where she is on an academic scholarship. She’s top of her class. Lindsey is a senior at Langley HS and taking a full load of AP classes and working at Starbucks too. They say I’m their favorite uncle but please don’t tell the other ones ;) Looking forward to seeing them both during the Thanksgiving holiday."

Jessica Kramer of Tampa, FL
"My cow Shrek. I've been lucky to have her 11 years. She's the best!"

Barb Lamb of Southfield, MI
"I’m thankful for my grandchildren, Alexander and Cadence, both born this year."

Share your story of thanks in the comment below or share photos with the hashtag #thankfulfor on Instagram, Twitter or Facebook and we may include it in our national gallery running through the holiday season.