Every year the Islands’ Sounder asks its readers to tell us what they are thankful for this holiday.

What are you thankful for?

• My family as well as the wonderful community that is on Orcas.

• The little kindnesses I see each day that help restore my faith in humanity.

• The Islands’ Sounder.

• The beauty of Orcas Island: the mountains, the ocean, the beach. We truly live in the most magical place on earth. And my wonderful parents and sister who are my best friends in the whole world and make driving 8 hours to come home more than worth it, miss them every day.

• Every day I am thankful for the same thing: my husband. And bacon.

• My bathtub. Hot water.

• Socks.

• Family, friends, community, health.

• Laughter, love and good beer.

• A sense of humor, a warm bed and this island full of neighbors.

• I am thankful that on a small island with an even smaller, two-street town, there are no less than 10 places to get coffee and soothe my caffeine-addled brain.

• My faithful feline companion and everyone else’s pets, too.

• The professionals who help my kids be the best they can.

• My husband.

• The health and happiness of my sweet baby girl and our love-filled family.

• I am lucky enough to be living in one of the most fabulous places on earth, and that I am not a political refugee without a place to call home for my family.

• Freedom for our girls to run, dance, play and climb trees without being oppressed or harassed.

• The simplest blessings everyday.

• The love from my family and friends, and a good laugh every now and then.