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Politics & Government

From the Desk of Sen. Jack Martins: Thanksgiving Thoughts

Sen. Martins offers a sample of students' thoughts on what they are most thankful for.

I must have forgotten how much I dreaded impromptu writing assignments
because this past month I asked sixth-graders in our district to do
just that – write a Thanksgiving essay about what they’re thankful
for.  Despite jam-packed schedules and “tons of homework,” more than
300 participated. I had the pleasure of meeting many of them at a
recent recognition ceremony.  While I realize the assignment wasn’t
easy for them, it did make it abundantly clear that we can all be
thankful that our young people offer us some real promise.

Despite their youth, our students show remarkable wisdom and empathy,
not just for those struck by misfortune but for their families who
navigate everyday challenges with love and sacrifice.  I am struck by
their heightened awareness of issues that we would consider adult
realities, and by their uncanny ability to boil it down to what really
matters.  I couldn’t do it any better, so here are just a few
observations from your local sixth-graders on what we should be
thankful for.

- All these brutal and seemingly never- ending wars and dreadful
terrorist attacks make freedom seem like something that is valuable
and rare, which makes my life in a free country something I am
grateful for.

- I am thankful my parents have jobs. If they didn’t we wouldn’t have
any food, water, clothes or even a home. If I didn’t have a home I
wouldn’t have that much food either because I wouldn’t have a
refrigerator to keep my food from going bad.

- I am also very thankful that I live in a country that is safe. In
Egypt for example, some children are very scared because there is a
rebellion right outside their homes and there is no one to protect
them from the violence.

- The love and support of my family keep me whole.  I could only wish
other people are grateful for their families as well.

- If there is not a healthy family relationship then everything seems
to fall apart like a puzzle that is missing some pieces.

- I never knew all that I could do even though I am in a wheelchair.
I have learned to never say never.  That’s what I’m thankful for.

- My brother will help me out whenever I need it … I wish I could be
just like him and have that little charm he has on people.

-  I mean, sure it would be fabulous for him to still be here, but it
would be selfish.  If he was in pain here, I would rather he be in no
pain in a better place. I still love him.  That’s what I’m thankful
for.

- I feel so fortunate that our cousin was diagnosed early and was able
to get an operation to stop the cancer from growing and getting worse.
This coming Thanksgiving I will be thankful to our doctors,
scientists and educators for saving so many lives..but I am most
thankful for our ability to create life saving technology.

- After more chemotherapy, more radiation, more hospital stays, more
surgeries, more transfusions, I finally got to go home.  I remember,
during the car ride home, my dad cranked up the song, ”Waiting” by
Green Day. “I’ve been waiting a long time for this moment to come.
I‘m destined for anything at all.”


Our children have an amazing capacity for understanding our world,
often better than we give them credit for.  As this small sampling of
their essays demonstrates,  they have an extraordinary ability for
empathy and compassion beyond their years.  We can be grateful that
they willingly share it.  We just need to recognize and value it
ourselves. To all of you who’ve made my first year as your Senator
such a gratifying experience, I wish you a peaceful, healthy and happy
Thanksgiving.

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