"I Am Thankful To Have A Home and Food To Eat" Girls and Boys Town Youth Give Thanks for Some of Life's Most Basic Needs

Girls and Boys Town
Friday, 22 November 2002

At Thanksgiving time we give our boys and girls an opportunity to reflect on their many blessings. We give them the chance to say "thank you" for these blessings. We, the children of Girls and Boys Town, may have more troubles than we need or ever deserved. But simply focusing on our troubles does not make us better, nor does it make anyone better. Focusing on our blessings gives us a heart that begins to be filled with gratitude and joy, and that is the road to healing and hope.

One big thing I am grateful for is the chance to graduate. No one on my dad's side of the family has ever graduated from high school, so graduation means a lot to me. - John, 17

I am grateful for being at Girls and Boys Town. If I had stayed home I would have ended up in jail or in a mental hospital where I would probably never, ever have seen my home and family again. Thank you Girls and Boys Town. - Georgia, 15

I am grateful for waking up this morning and being in a bed at Girls and Boys Town. I am grateful that I am not waking up on the streets as I used to with screaming and yelling going on. On the streets, no kid has a bed. I have one now. On the streets, kids go to sleep lying, cheating and stealing. I don't. This is very important. I have something that many street kids never had. - Gene, 14

I am grateful for my two years of sobriety. I used to do drugs and alcohol real heavily. I used to think I would not live to see my 17th birthday and it is coming up in two months. Being sober has meant so much to me. I am doing sports, staying in school and keeping in shape. - John, 15

I am grateful for my teachers because they teach me things that are going to help me in life. They stay after school to help me. They don't have to, but they do. They care for us. I used to overlook that a lot before I came here. Thank you Girls and Boys Town teachers. - Tom, 14

I am grateful for the Girls and Boys Town doctors. When I was at home I was on 19 pills a day. I couldn't focus. I felt like a zombie walking down the school hallways. I came to Girls and Boys Town with a big brown paper bag. Now that I have been here for two years I am no longer on any medication. I feel good and I have never felt that way for years. - Alice, 17

I am grateful for being able to feel safe, both here at my home here at Girls and Boys Town and my Girls and Boys Town school. You don't have to go home worrying to find your little brother scrunched up in a corner screaming your name for help because he has been beaten. You don't have to worry about cuts and bruises your father made on your or your brother to scare you. You go to school. You don't have to worry about people doing drugs or alcohol or having guns. You know at this school and at your Girls and Boys Town home that they will help you get better from your past problems and help you have a future. - Johanna, 16

Today I am grateful for my glasses because when I came to Girls and Boys Town I needed glasses and now I can see clearly. My glasses are as important as the Lord is now. The Lord and my glasses help me to see all around me. - Lizzie, 13

I am grateful for the clothes I wear on my back. Before I came I had almost nothing. I have nice clothes now and it makes me feel good. - Toby, 13

All my life I prayed to God asking Him when my mom would be the mom I had when I was two. I became so discouraged as I watched her go further downhill. I wondered why she said she felt so good doing drugs. The hurt she was causing me hurt bad. It took me a while, but one day I realized I had to completely separate myself from my mother. I wrote to Girls and Boys Town on my 13th birthday. Father Peter wrote and said, "welcome." I am thankful that I am able to have a Girls and Boys Town family. It feels so good. - Jeannie, 14

When I came to Girls and Boys Town my mother and brother were already in prison. I was unable to feel anything but hurt and pain. I didn't know at the time why I felt so bad. One of the miracles that occurred is that my mother is getting better and I am getting better, too. I never really expected this to happen. Every night I thank God for Girls and Boys Town and for giving the mother I once had back to me. - Maria, 15

For more information, or to contact Girls and Boys Town, see their website at: www.girlsandboystown.org