People share their thanks

It's always exciting to hear from readers. And it's especially nice to hear about good things that have happened.

And, next week on Thanksgiving Day, anyone who picks up a newspaper will learn about some really good things that have happened to others in our community.

It's nearly time to announce the winners of the News-Journal's annual Thanksgiving letters contest. And the judges are busy reading hundreds of letters of thanks.

Each year at this time, we ask readers to think about how they have been blessed and what they're most thankful for in their lives. We ask them to consider these three questions: "What are you most thankful for? Has a special someone done something extraordinary on your behalf? Is there someone who has made a tremendous impact in your life?"

Prizes are given for the top essay in each of three age categories: 12 and younger, ages 13 to 19 and adult. All winners will receive a one-year subscription to the Central Kentucky News-Journal and gifts from The Bookstore, Green River Cinema 6, Studio 434 and Natalie's Unique Gifts.

In this year's entries, we've heard from children who are thankful for God, their parents, their grandparents, their brothers and sisters, their teachers, their churches, their aunts, uncles and cousins and even their pets.

One young lady is especially thankful for the everyday things in life that most of the time we take for granted. There's another who is thankful for her friends, because they encourage her when she feels down. Yet another thinks her grandma is the best in the world simply because, "She loves me."

One young man says he's thankful for his dad, who makes time to take him fishing. Another is thankful because every good memory he has includes his mother.

Then there are the other letters, the letters from those who have faced great trials during their lives.

Some are thankful for their health and for the family members who cared for them during sickness, while others are thankful to live in a country that's free.

Still more are thankful for the memories they've gathered to themselves after loved ones have passed on.

It all comes down to one thing - being blessed.

Watch for next Thursday's issue. The winner in each of the three categories will be printed on the front page of our paper. And all of the other entries will be available on our Web site (www.cknj.com).

You might even read about someone who is grateful for you.