Thanksgiving is a time when many of us reflect on what we’re most thankful for. At Wood’s Homes, the joy of working with children, youth and families, the support we receive from the community and the 105 year history we’ve shared in Calgary – an amazing city – tops our list.

In the spirit of the season, we decided to ask our clients what they are thankful for. Some of the answers we received were surprising, but always heartwarming:

“I am grateful for the accommodations my school gives me, because I know I need a lot of accommodations to help mw, so I am thankful.”

“I am thankful for my cat.”

“I am grateful I got to come here because I know it’s helping.”

“I am thankful for my best, best, best friend.”

“I am grateful for the support we received when getting to know our daughter better. The Emergency Room Outreach team has allowed us to have difficult conversations about loss and we feel more connected as a family.”

“I am thankful that my brother and I have a nice home. Nice people taking care of us. I feel really welcome in the house. There’s food and a comfortable [bed]. [I’m thankful for] my health. I don’t have any problems. I’m thankful for being reunited with my brother. Overall I’m thankful for my life. For everything.”

“I am thankful for food and water, my school, my foster parents.”

“I am grateful for Elders. I love hearing their stories.”

“I am happy to have ceremony and sage.”

“J'suis content avec mamma, papa et music” (“I am happy for mom, dad and music”)

“I am thankful for smiles and cuddles from my kids before going to work in the morning.”

“I am grateful that my parents work hard so that I can go to camp every summer.”

"I am thankful for good friends."

“I am thankful for life.”

"I'm thankful to have a roof under my head."

"I'm thankful for my neigh neigh keeping me safe."

"I'm thankful for mother earth and all she gives us."

"I'm thankful for my stuffed animal keeping me company when I'm lonely."

Wood’s Homes Community Psychiatric Unit keeps a ‘Gratitude Tree’ in the program and staff are constantly adding to it with clients. Each client will write something they are grateful for on a leaf and add it to the three. Some of the things they are grateful for include stars, the weather after the rain, music, pets and CPU.