I am thankful for ...

Advertiser Staff

Sometimes when you stop and count your blessings, it doesn't hurt to see how your stock compares with a first-grader's.

All of us could stand to give thanks for family and flowers, for puppies and pizza, for hula and hamburgers.

And while we're at it, if we're asked to go around the dinner table and say what we're grateful for, we can think of crayon images of friends and freedom, of sunshine and sisters, of babies and basketball, and be thankful for all those things, too.

Thanksgiving is still a holiday when people remember what they're supposed to reflect on. And even the tiniest of us can teach us something about giving thanks.

Katie Davis, age 6

But upon closer inspection of her drawing of turkeys, it's clear that the first-grader at Iliahi Elementary in Wahiawa really is thankful for her family. (The turkey family is a stand-in.)

"She didn't think of it as cute," said her mom, Bethany. But everybody else did.

Laura Hollison, age 4

The 4-year-old Kahala girl from Waiokeola Preschool drew herself, her mom, her grandmother and her big brother in her family portrait. Her daddy passed away before she turned 1, so Laura has always been grateful for the ones closest to her.

"It wasn't so much what she drew as the effort she put into it," her mom, Wendy Takeshita said. "She's only 4, so the effort she took in making it better was very meaningful."

Mandy Chun, age 5

Well, to be more specific, the kindergartner at Noelani Elementary who drew a mother and daughter in pink dresses said she's thankful for "a mommy to dress up with and take me shopping."

Her mom, Lynn, of Mo'ili'ili, said her daughter is a born shopper.

"She loves to dress up," Lynn said. "She dresses herself every morning. Every time we go shopping, she likes to try things on."

Kekoa Morris, age 7

So it's not surprising that the 7-year-old first-grader at Iolani School drew a rainbow and said he's thankful for nature.

His mom, Monica, said he's an outdoorsy kid who likes activities such as soccer. Kekoa said he got the idea for his drawing from attending Kawaiaha'o Sunday School.

His mom hopes his love of nature is lasting.

"It's my hope that one day that will be his passion," she said, "to protect the environment."

Richie Nolan, age 5

Because of his toes, the 5-year-old Ford Island boy learned, he can walk upright, unlike other species, such as his dog, Rebel.

However, when the Holy Family Catholic Academy kindergartner looked closely at his dog's feet, Richie noticed one paw nail a different shade than the others. So, Richie's mom, Sydney, explains, Richie made his own toenail the color of Rebel's.

Megan Kimura, age 8

So when her grandmother suggested that she enter a Thanksgiving drawing, the Hilo girl drew herself and another student in a classroom with their teacher. Her mom, Jodie Kimura, said Megan especially likes math and science, and her hobbies are art and golf.

"She's a very quiet person, so she expresses her feelings more with art," her mom said. "When she does say things, I guess it comes off as more profound."