• Thanksgiving 2017

Thanksgiving is a special time of year. The heat of the Summer is past (well, it's supposed to be past ☺), the days are shorter, indoor activities take precedence, family traditions and foods circle back.

I put out a call to the people of Wildomar to participate in this blog. Many thanks to those that participated.

I'll post them in the order I received them...

I am thankful for this wonderful town of Wildomar and all of the opportunities, friendships, life lessons and love it has shown me.
— Lisa Kimura Ballard

I am thankful for my Mom and Husband. They are always there to support me and make me feel loved no matter what.

—Katie Boothby

I'm thankful for my wonderful husband, smart, funny, adorable, amazing kids and this awesome community we live in. 
—Vitalia Gonzalo

I am thankful for my great hubby, for my fabulous family and friends. I am also very thankful for my good health. 

—City Councilmember Marsha Swanson

I'm thankful we chose Wildomar to move to in 1988. Thankful for my family, including my Wildomar family and my fur babies. 

—Gloria Allred

I'm thankful for my liver transplant, [which came] with Wildomar [community] support.

—Scott Rux, newly appointed member of the Measure Z Commission.

I am thankful to live in a wonderful community, where neighbors spread kindness and lend a helping hand.

—Mary Haire

We are so thankful to live here on The Farm with lots of great friends. There are so many events for everyone including the children. We also enjoy our delicious fruits from the many orchards. Most of all the we love the beautiful scenery that we wake up to every morning.
—Bob and Barbara Noble

I'm grateful for small miracles. I don't believe in the big miracles, but the small ones keep adding up.

—John Garrett, Temecula Valley Astronomers

Thankful for my husband and kids, my family, my community and all the positive friends and people that I get to encounter. Thank you God and bless the city of Wildomar!

—Rose Mary Napoli-Verso

I'm thankful to be raising my son in The Farm, which is such a close knit community, full of friendly and kind neighbors that quickly become friends.

— Brittney O'Sullivan

I am thankful for technology! 23 years ago I married a marine, on our 1 month wedding anniversary he was deployed to Japan. We spent a fortune on quick phone calls. My daughter is now stationed in TX with the US Air Force, we FaceTime, call, or text daily. My son plays on the Elsinore HS water-polo team, my husband's schedule rarely allows for him to make his games, we are lucky to have some really great parents who record the games and take 100’s of photos then post them on social media for him to watch. While many people may feel that technology is ruining our generation, my family uses it to keep close and I couldn’t be more thankful!

—Michele Thomas, Wildomar Planning Commissioner

I am thankful for my husband. He takes such good care of me and our home, he works so hard every day and doesn't really complain. I thank God every day for him.
— Melissa Barnett

I'm always thankful for the love of my crazy family and friends, my dog, and of a man who for some strange reason loves me. I'm thankful for fun times, great memories, rock n' roll music, champagne brunches, red roses, mouse traps, clouds, happy hours, Netflix & Hulu, my youth being stolen in the late 60s, whipped cream and strawberries, photoshop, green vegetables, eye makeup, my photography teachers, hair dye, live music, trees, antiques, shorts and flip flops.  

But what I think I'm most thankful is my faith and strength that has seen me through the good times and carried me over the rough times.

—Kat Ellis, Host of Chords and Vines Radio Show

I'm thankful for my husband, Stewart, and son, Jake, and the rest of our family! I'm thankful to live in a community that has so much heart and where we feel safe to live.

—City Councilmember Bridgette Moore 

I am thankful for the opportunity to learn from the past. This year my husband and I traveled to Plymouth, Massachusetts to see the National Monument to the Forefathers and also The Pilgrim Hall Museum.  The museum displays artifacts: William Bradford’s Bible, the only portrait of a Pilgrim (Edward Winslow) painted from life, the cradle of New England’s first–born, Peregrine White, the great chair of William Brewster, and the earliest sampler made in America, embroidered by Myles Standish’s daughter. 

This glimpse into the back stories of individuals and families taking a stand for truth is a reminder of how blessed we are as a nation. It is a reminder to consider what issues we stand firm upon - those that are worth risking all to uphold. It helps to know that today I can worship God and speak freely of Him in our society, and that my family has chosen to follow Jesus Christ. We continue to give thanks to Almighty God for all His blessings. (pilgrimhall.org)

—Veronica Langworthy, Wildomar Planning Commissioner

I'm grateful that my grandparents made sure I know GOD AND THAT HIS SON GAVE HIS LIFE FOR ME. I'm grateful that the Hurley family took me in and treated me like I was blood so I would have a family growing up. Thank you GOD for giving me 3 decent kids and a wife that puts up with me.
—David Masters

I’m thankful Zac is gone and WR has replaced him.

— Doug Aames

I am thankful to be employed. I was unemployed for two months this summer for the first time in ten years. Being over 50 I think cost me a few opportunities but I am working and looking forward to advancing up in my new career.
—Tom Ebel

I am thankful for my beautiful wife and three daughters. They are literally the reason behind almost everything I do.  Every vote on council that I make, they are on my mind.  They support me and my busy schedule, are loving, caring, and kind.  I really couldn’t be more thankful for them.

I am thankful for all of my family and friends.  Again each one is supportive in their own way, ALL are loving, and each allow me to vent to them and more importantly, keep it to themselves haha. 

I am thankful for our City, our staff, and OUR RESIDENTS, who, have placed their trust in me to represent them.  I am humbled still, by that fact and am truly grateful and thankful for the opportunity. I am thankful for our Marines, service members, veterans, and especially our military members that are forward deployed in dangerous parts of the world, so we can enjoy our way of life and pursue our versions of the American dream, in peace.

—City Councilmember Dustin Nigg

•                •                •

When you rise in the morning, give thanks for the light, for your life, for your strength. Give thanks for your food and for the joy of living. If you see no reason to give thanks, the fault lies in yourself. 
—Tecumseh  (1768–1813)

Wildomar Rap is thankful for all the local wonders that we've experienced since becoming willing to look outside of ourselves.