Giving thanks

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With Thanksgiving just around the corner, we thought it would be appropriate to ask Penn staffers what they are thankful for this season. Given recent events, it should be no surprise that most said they were thankful just to be alive and well, with supportive friends and family. And for some respondents, having a decent job at Penn is also reason to give thanks.

BENJAMIN AMBROSE
Security Guard, Van Pelt-Dietrich Library
Im grateful to be alive and to have a good family and to live in America. I sailed on ships all over the world during World War II. Out of 70 ships, only 30 made it. There were machine guns, and now I have to wear a hearing aid. Im just thankful to be here and to be able to tell the story.

DAVE MITCHELL
Plumber, Facilities Services
Im thankful that I have a good job. The world is disastrous right now. Were under attack and my boy is real sick, so its kind of hard to find anything to be grateful for. But I am alive and I have a job, so that is something to be happy about.

PETE ARNOLD
Assistant Security Manager, Steinberg-Deitrich Hall
Im grateful for good health. There s a lot of things: positive attitude, the fact that were still functioning as a country after Sept. 11, and basic things like food and all that good stuff. My family and friends are all well. Nobodys sick. If you dont feel grateful, just go over to the cancer ward in the hospital and you will.

CAROL SAUNDERS
Graduate Coordinator, Sociology
The ability to think is what I am grateful for. The normal stuff such as clarity, health and being in this country. I have been out of this country, so I know what to compare it to. Clarity covers a lot of important things. That, health, and folks is what its all about.

BETTY DICKSON
Food Server, 1920 Commons
Im thankful to be alive in this day and age. Im thankful for my family and that theyre all doing well.

MICHELLE DOOBRAJH
Food Server, Hamilton College House
Im grateful to be here and to be able to breathe in and out every single day. Im glad that I am able to look up and see the sky and know I am here and I am alive. I am happy to be an American and to be healthy and to know that everyone I know and love is healthy. These are things to truly be grateful for.

IVAN GENADIEV
Receptionist, College Hall
Im grateful to be in this country. I am happy to be here at this University at this very moment, knowing I am healthy and my family and friends are healthy. Coming from Bulgaria, its very different, but interesting, living in America. I have friends in different places in the world. Thats something to be thankful for.

Malaina Freedman