What PBS News Hour viewers are thankful for in 2024

Thanksgiving Day is about coming together with family and friends, enjoying delicious food and, of course, giving thanks. This holiday, we wanted to take a moment to hear from viewers like you, so we asked people across the country what they were grateful for this year. Here’s what some of you told us.
William Brangham:
Thanksgiving Day is about coming together with family and friends, enjoying delicious food, and, of course, giving thanks.
This holiday, we wanted to take a moment to hear from viewers like you. And so we asked people across the country what they were grateful for this year. Here’s some of what you told us.
Deb Hengel, Minnesota:
Hi, I’m Deb Hengel. And I live in Elbow Lake, Minnesota, and I am grateful for my family.
It’s not always easy for people to get together, and so I am so grateful when my kids and now are my grown grandkids make the time, make effort and take the time for us to get together. That just warms my heart.
Lillian Hemphill, Family Member:
My name is Lillian Hemphill. and this is my dad, Calvin Hemphill Sr. This is my mom, Frankie Hemphill. And this is my younger brother, Calvin Hemphill Jr.
And I’m thankful that the fact that we’re in our new home for Thanksgiving. I was in my classroom, and I got a phone call, and normally I never answer my cell phone in my classroom. And that day, I decided to answer the phone.
And I answered it. And they said: “Lillian, your house went fire.”
And I was like: “Oh, girl, stop joking.”
And she was like: “No, it’s on fire.”
Francesca Avelleyra, Maryland:
Hi, my name is Francesca Avelleyra. and I live in Silver Spring, Maryland. And I am happy to be able to travel and visit my family overseas. My daughter lives in London with her family, husband and two beautiful granddaughters.
Steve Dluginski, New York:
My name is Steve Dluginski. I live in New York City. And I am grateful for having a large family. My mom and dad are still alive in their mid-80s and we have four grandchildren. I have an older sister and a younger brother. And we all get together for Thanksgiving. And it’s a big feast.
Deb Hengel:
We have two daughters, and they are both married. So, we have two son-in-laws. We have two sons and one daughter-in-law and one significant other. And we will have an empty space at our table.
Fifteen years ago, we lost our oldest — our oldest two are twins. And so one of the twins was in a car accident. And so that’s always different. It’s not any different than it has been the last 15 years, but it’s — there’s an empty space.
Calvin Hemphill Sr., Family Member:
Actually, the day all the house was burnt down, we was in the front yard, and we were standing around looking. And I just looked at my family and said: “We’re going to build a new home.”
And I am a contractor, so I know how to build stuff. Our goal to be in our home by Thanksgiving. And I’m very, very thankful that we are in our home for Thanksgiving, and we will have Thanksgiving dinner over here. And I’m excited, really, really excited to be at home.
Francesca Avelleyra:
I’m thankful that we have the means to travel to visit with them, because I know it’s a privilege, and I know not a lot of people are really real to do that. And we are, so I’m very thankful for that.
Deb Hengel:
Everyone is a good cook. And that sounds kind of strange, but, honestly, that is — that everyone has their specialties. And our grandkids all enjoy it a great deal. So it’s like there’s a lot of — we really have some wonderful meals, because I think we have some really good cooks.
Steve Dluginski:
When I’m making the gravy, my mom and my sister and everybody has to add their 2 cents. And maybe we need more water. Maybe we need some more chicken broth, blah, blah, blah, blah. So, normally, I have to shoo them out of the way. They can come pose for pictures, which is fine.
But I’m the gravy master, so that — it’s — I got to get them out of the way so I can concentrate on what I’m doing.
Lillian Hemphill:
Of all the things that we lost in our house, the one thing that — the very first thing that we found, mom, can you grab it, was our family Bible.
We have our faith. And she looked at me. She said, “God is going to carry us through.” I know there may be a family that is watching this. And you’re going through a tough time, but I would tell you, if you have love, if you have faith, you have determination, you have your life, and a little bit of humor, your family can get through anything that happens.
William Brangham:
Love, faith, determination, and a little bit of humor, that is a powerful combination.
Our thanks to every one of you who sent in your responses.