There’s a lot to be thankful for this holiday and so we asked members of the Times-Republican staff to share their blessings with our readers. Here are some of their responses:

As Thanksgiving Day approaches, most of us take time to reflect on all for which we are thankful.

It’s too bad we only think about this once a year because we all have a lot to be thankful for.

Besides being thankful just to be alive and having the opportunity to celebrate another Thanksgiving, here’s is my list for what I am most thankful.

First the top five — family, faith, friends, fellow workers and fun. My life is centered around these five things and I am so blessed to be able to have a great family, a strong faith, life-long friends, great co-workers with a little bit of fun sprinkled through it all.

I am also thankful for honesty, hard work, respect, generosity, compassion, gratitude, opinions and positivity. Every day I see examples of people in our community giving of their time for the benefit of others, doing the right thing when nobody is looking and working to make Marshalltown and Central Iowa the best it can be. It is why I like living here and I’m thankful for the people who make that happen.

And finally, I am thankful for vacations, memories and laughter. We all need time away in order to see how good things are when we return. And we need laughter in our lives– take time to reflect but also take time to laugh.

I am thankful for all of these things and for being able to share them with you.

Mike Schlesinger

I am thankful for my life and for all of the special people in it.

Deanna Davis

My Lord and Savior for sending his son to die on the cross for my sins so that I will one day be with him; employment; home; health; good friends.

John Keck

I am thankful for still being alive to be able to enjoy my family and friends. Tomorrow isn’t promised so be grateful for what you have. Also thank you to our veterans for them being able to fight for our freedom so we are able to have this wonderful life we have.

Amber Hill

I am thankful for each day God gives me and I pray not to squander them. I am thankful for my husband and children and now my grandchildren, each one special in their own way. This year, I am especially thankful for the outpouring of love, care and concern shown to me after a horrific fall. There were many angels around me on April 5, some tangible and some not, but all real and special.

Kathy Beane

I am thankful we live in a country that protects free speech, freedom of religion and the right to marry who we love. I am grateful I have a wonderful support system in my husband Andy, parents and my in-laws.

Sara Jordan-Heintz

I am thankful for everyday that I wake up, and for my family and friends.

Ronny Matney

I am thankful for my husband, family, friends and to be a citizen of the United States of America.

Jane Engel

I’m thankful for my family, friends and my job.

Lorraine Bangs

I am thankful for my children, my family and friends.

Candice Callaway

Not only do I have a caring family in Florida and Iowa, I am blessed that my close friends in Marshalltown, State Center, Ottumwa and Des Moines have become my second family. My cup overflows with God’s great blessings.

Jeff Hutton