In this year of turmoil and restrictions, we asked readers to share what their bright spots were. Here are their responses:

Family and friends

This year … could not have gone worse. Schools were shut down, disease ran rampant, and mass chaos erupted. However, as everyone is approaching the end of this disastrous attempt at the start of a new decade, they must remember that there is always a bright side and that one can never truly have nothing to be thankful for.

I, for one, am grateful that my family and friends are healthy and thriving. Though the ways we spend time together may look drastically different from years prior, I still can do so, which I could never be more thankful for.

I could not imagine a world without those I hold closest surrounding and supporting me, and I do not know what I would have done if I lost them.

Additionally, I could not be happier to be back in school, even if it is not the way I am used to, or with all of the people I am accustomed to seeing.

Though it may seem odd that a high school student should be thankful for the opportunity to do homework and complete exams, well … this whole situation provided many, such as myself, with a new perspective on the blessings we did not know we had.

We did not realize just how much socialization came from the education setting, nor did we think we would ever rely on it as our only means to learn, grow and socialize with the world around us. There have been many negatives and horrible outcomes of this virus and its effects, and life does not seem like it will ever go back to normal. Still, through all of the losses that arose from the current sickness that plagues the Earth, one must remember that they will always have something to be thankful for.

Megan Hoffman

Lehighton

The bright side

Although this year has been chaotic, it has made me remember the positives that I am thankful for. It has made me grateful for school, surprisingly enough, because it is the one thing that keeps me busy. It has also made me thankful for my family because even though they may irritate me, they are always there for me at the end of the day no matter what.

Finally, I am appreciative of the great outdoors. I have never truly realized its true beauty and the opportunities that it holds. I have become active because of this pandemic and I always choose mother nature as my to-go workout spot.

Overall, there is always a bright side in every hard time.

Isabella Mystkowski

Lehighton

Time for family

Despite all the craziness that comes with the year 2020 there are definitely some positives. My family always has a packed schedule between sports, school, work, events, etc., so when the shutdown in March hit it forced my family to stay at home and spend more time together.

This time was nice because my sister came to live with us. I didn’t see her very often and then saw her every single day for about two months.

This created quality time and happiness. We got to rebuild the bond that we had when we were younger and even now I get to see her more.

This also gave us time for home projects and even learning new things. Once we opened back up I am thankful for this golf season. It brought some light to the darkness. We were able to get away for hours and clear our mind but also putting in the hard work.

We only lost to one team in our league the whole season twice. Worked hard and ended up beating them to become league champions and the feeling of bringing that back to the school for the first time in 32 years was amazing.

Even though this year has very many negatives, it cultured us to live a way we were not used to and opened opportunities we may have never had.

This time could carry beyond the year 2020 so as the Navy SEALs would say, “get comfortable being uncomfortable.”

Trey Spring

Lehighton

Thankful for parents

This Thanksgiving I am grateful for having had parents that instilled in me the wisdom to know that any trying time in life will not last forever, that on the good days ... though they end, leave memories, smiles and joy behind.

I can ALWAYS, each and every day, share this wisdom and my God-given bounty with family, friends and community.

Happy Thanksgiving, everybody, and enjoy the holiday season. Love, peace and prayers,

Sue Cullen

Albrightsville

A blessing to teach

I am blessed to teach in the high school of the Lehighton Area School District.

I am a veteran teacher and the uncertainty brought on by COVID-19 have made this the most challenging year, by far, of my teaching career.

The students at LAHS are respectful, hardworking, sincere and generous. Their positive efforts have made my “job” of teaching that much easier.

This Thanksgiving, I am thankful for my students, either in-person or on Zoom.

Sharon Wufsus Leitzel

Lehighton

True blessing

This year I’m grateful for the well-being maintained by so many of my friends and family through challenging times, while being conscious and respectful of the fact that this isn’t true for everyone. More specifically, the early days of COVID-19 were a real struggle and it was especially difficult to be under strict quarantine overseas, far from family and with little prospect of seeing them in real life.

So in 2020 I’m immensely grateful for the fact that we were able to travel to the U.S. at all!

And despite the fact that this year’s Thanksgiving meal will be a smaller crowd than usual, I’m able to celebrate Thanksgiving with my children as well as both my parents, for the first time in 20 years - a true blessing!

Kate Eberwein

Palmerton

Family and love

I am thankful for food, water, friends, family and love!

Lizzie Eberwein

Palmerton, age 7