Here's What Some Readers Are Thankful For This Thanksgiving

Tampa FL

24 November, 2021

11:58 PM

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TAMPA BAY, FL — To quote singer/songwriter Elvis Costello, Patch is wondering what's so funny about peace, love and understanding? In these days when name-calling has become so commonplace on social media that a whole new vocabulary has arisen to fool the platform censors, when people have no qualms about rolling down their car windows and hoisting their middle finger toward the stranger in the car next them, you can't help but wonder when social graces and civility went the way of the dinosaur. Rudeness has become so persistent that a new area of social psychology has emerged to study the phenomenon. Some blame social media. Others say the uncertainties and hardships people have suffered during the coronavirus pandemic have spawned a population of frustrated, angry, defensive Americans. Regardless of the reasons, researchers agree that the current culture of negativity can affect people's health, productivity and pursuit of the things that once brought them joy. If that's true, then the remedy must be positivity. With that in mind, Patch launched its "30 Days Of Gratitude," a national campaign in which we are asking readers to make a deliberate choice to see the goodness and joy in life and to wish the same for their neighbors. During the "30 Days Of Gratitude," we invited readers to express their appreciation for the people and things that make their lives richer by writing a letter of thanks. Here are some of the responses we received: To Dunedin Patch from Patti Duff of New Providence, Pennsylvania Gratitude and thankfulness go hand in hand. I gave been very blessed with awesome friends in Dunedin, FL. I get to come down to Dunedin several times a year and find peace and tranquility at my place on Honeymoon Island. There, I have been blessed with the most caring, beautiful friends a girl could ever ask for. Marsha Bryant is my heart. I have never met anyone like her. She is always there for me. My other true friends are Diane Vita, Carol Porter and Sandy Kaufer. As a group of gals, we all have a good time together, especially eating out at any and all of the fabulous restaurants Dunedin has to offer. I can hardly wait to see these magnificent women soon and continue our adventures in delightful Dunedin. To Clearwater Patch from James Vogel of Chicago Thank you, God, for what I have every day in my life such as health, family, friends and, especially, for my doctor, Frank Yanez. He came from Chicago to practice medicine, and I'm very fortunate to have him in my life to keep me healthy. He constantly demonstrates his medical skills and professional opinions, which reflect the genuine caring and compassionate person he really is. I'm thrilled to call him my doctor let alone a friend. Thank you, doctor, for all you do for me. May God continue to bless you and to sincerely care for the oath you took. Like this article? Sign up for our newsletter and get it delivered every weekday. It's free! To New Port Richey Patch from Molly Shaw-Matthers of Brooksville We would like to personally express our gratitude to our next-door neighbors, the Millers. We purchased our forever home (I like to call it my "Exit Retirement Strategy") over a year ago. I did not want to pull my daughters out of high school because they had already created a lot of friendships and loved going to their local school, so I would commute up to Brooksville from Land O' Lakes almost every weekend for a year to work on different house and yard projects. My husband divided his time as well, so we could try and take care of two homes (both homes had pets). It was not easy along the way before we could permanently move to the country. The Millers have helped us get settled from Day One. I have never lived in a quaint, country town setting before, so this family has been a big help in many ways to help us get more acclimated. Tracy goes out of her way to help us — from inviting us to home-cooked meals, local town recommendations, being great listeners, having a great sense of humor when we need it the most, assisting us on various projects around the farm, teaching me about chickens and the egg-laying process, you name it. They always will raise their hand to help anyone in need. It feels almost like living in a "Little House on the Prairie" episode sometimes, and we feel so fortunate and grateful to have them in our lives. We need more people like them in this world. They make it a better and more kind place, and I believe that goes for all the other lives they touch along the way. They are an extension of our family, and we feel extremely fortunate to have neighbors that do not have to look after us or our home and pets. They just choose to and want nothing in return. Good people. Thank you. To New Port Richey Patch from Vanessa Dazio of New Port Richey I am grateful for my friend and mentor, Gisela Dalnoky, RN director at CARES Senior Healh Clinic in New Port Richey, Fl. Gisela manages our unfunded primary care clinic that serves vulnerable, low-income, uninsured adults under the age of 65. Through her constant devotion and active direct involvement, she somehow, and it often seems miraculously, manages to find generous people and health service providers who support our mission. Through her direct interventions, she has found life-saving diagnostic tests, medical treatments for patients in terminal conditions, surgeries for desperate people suffering great pain, severe functional loss and declining health and quality of life. She has saved lives, enhanced lives and makes a daily, often unrecognized contribution to our local communities. She enhances all the lives of the people she touches. She is an incredible RN, advocate, mentor, friend. I am deeply grateful for her, her support, mentorship and friendship. She inspires me to become a better person, a better therapist, a better member of our community. I am deeply grateful for her, the work she does, and the person she is. To New Port Richey Patch from Debbie L. Proulx of New Port Richey I am grateful for my entire board and volunteers over at NAMI Pasco. It has taken some time, but we finally have the perfect mix of dedicated individuals who understand and are willing to push up their selves to help us fulfill our mission, individuals who provide a safe place for discussion and sharing of ideas. From the bottom of my heart, I am grateful for my team. To Tampa Patch from Kathy Schulz of Tampa I am grateful and blessed with two beautiful, intelligent, wonderful daughters. I love you to the moon and beyond! Bootyx3 LuvYax3 To New Port Richey Patch from Denise Mudd of Tarpon Springs I am so grateful for our beautiful caregiver, Helen Dias. Helen goes far and beyond the call of duty in caring for my 87-year-old mother. Always punctual, always willing to do whatever is necessary or asked of her. When other tragedies struck our life, Helen volunteered to take care of our home, pets and mom, so we could travel four hours away to be with my dying daughter. She refused any pay for this amazing, kind deed. She is compassionate, patient and treats my family like we are her family. A true angel and Godsend. Thank you, Helen. We love and appreciate you more than words can express. To Clearwater Patch from Sandra Kennedy of Clearwater Thank you, Duane and Kathryn, for making my transition to Florida easy and pleasant. Also thanks for the beach trip. I couldn't have done it without your help. Cousins are great! To Tampa Patch from Julie Aldrich of Riverview I'm so very grateful for our friend, Phyllis Watson-Miller. She was my mom's friend before she passed almost two years ago. Phyllis was there for my mom during her illness and has been there for us every day since, completely selflessly. When we were unable to continue to care for Mom's pup, Louie, Phyllis stepped up and brought Lou into her home and has since loved and cared for him in a manner that has given us so much peace and joy. Phyllis is loving and caring person to all who meet her, from her customers, to all the puppies who drop by her job, to the lucky friends in her world. We are so blessed to have her in our life. To Florida Patch from Jimmy Smitz of Memphis I am so grateful to have loaned money to a friend to help with legal bills to help her teenage son get his life on track. I never received a thank you or any money back, but I am grateful I could help the boy on his journey. There is still time to participate in our "30 Days Of Gratitude." The campaign officially ends Nov. 30 but, it's never too late to express your appreciation, so keep those letters coming during this season of giving.