Suburban residents find reasons to be thankful
Bleak, gloomy, dreary, dismal. Journalists are running out of adjectives to describe the state of the economy. Unemployment is rising, consumer confidence is falling. The banks are begging for help, and now carmakers are too. Retailers, many on shaky ground, are hoping holiday shoppers keep them afloat.
These are anxious and uncertain days for many of us. But sometimes, hard times make people stop and think about what's most important in life, about the things that really matter. Thanksgiving, in particular, offers a chance to focus on what we have instead of what we've lost. In the midst of the trouble, what can we be thankful for? We posed that question to people all over the suburbs. Their responses are heartening.
Stephen Klein, Schaumburg:
"I've been a Rolling Meadows firefighter/paramedic for 28 years. I'm lucky to have this job, especially in these uncertain times."
Steve Strumberger, Libertyville:
"My business is still good. I'm grateful for that. And I have nine healthy grandchildren."
Susan Konie, Batavia:
"I'm grateful we have the freedom in this country to worship the way our hearts dictate. We tend to take our freedoms for granted, but we shouldn't."
Robin Youngberg, Winfield:
"My husband had his health restored this year. It is a godsend. For that, I'm extremely grateful."
Carol Kettley, Aurora:
"I'm grateful that Barack Obama will be our next president. I feel excited and hopeful."
Gemma Guss, Palatine:
"I'm the youngest of eight in my close, Italian Catholic family. I'm so grateful for all my brothers and sisters."
Rose Quezada, Huntley:
"I'm grateful that the bad economy hasn't affected my business yet. I run an employment agency, and we are OK so far."
Margaret Kamman, Vernon Hills:
"I'm grateful for my husband and three children. As long as we're healthy, that's all that matters. I'm glad gas prices are coming down too."
Catherine Crandal, Mundelein:
"God has blessed me with so many things. A great job, food on the table, friends, a car that works. I don't want for anything."
Joe Petykowski, Palatine:
"I'm grateful for my seven grandkids. They range in age from 21 to 3. They keep me young and give me a purpose for living."
Mary Monfries, Streamwood:
"The way the economy is going, I'm grateful to be working for the Salvation Army. People really need help right now, and that's what we are doing. It's a good feeling."
Brad Petrick, Arlington Heights:
"I'm grateful that I landed my job a year and a half ago. I think it would be really hard to do that now."
Lee Dungey, Sugar Grove:
"I'm grateful that the Packers beat the Bears like a drum this month."
Lisa Hart, Sleepy Hollow:
"I'm grateful for my family, the roof over our head and my husband's awesome job."
Elaine Meaux, Hoffman Estates:
"I'm thankful for God and his son Jesus. He has made me a more kind person, a more giving person. Because of him, I have more concern for other people."
Vasilios Tabas, Des Plaines:
"I thank God for Angela, my wife of 35 years."
Derek Latham, Elgin:
"I have two grandchildren, 6 and 11 years old. They keep me upbeat. They keep me young. I'm grateful they are too young to know about the problems in the country."
Brad Sorensen, Carol Stream:
"I'm thankful to have a boss as nice as the one I have. He's the nicest guy in the world."