Special Report

THOUGHTS THAT ECHO I ON THE COVER

GIVING

a n

Readers share what
they are grateful for
this Thanksgiving.

During a time when many are agonizing over job loss
and making ends meet, we asked readers to stop and
focus instead on what they cherish and are grateful for.
We received calls, e-mail messages and letters from indi-
viduals who are thankful for family, good health, medical
care, comfort, support of friends, and guidance. Some
draw strength from sweet memories, while others are
grateful for a Jewish connection, assistance from a
Jewish agency or being embraced by our community.

Paula Finkelstein during her illness

Shelli Liebman Dorfman
Senior Writer

Our readers share some of the reasons
they are grateful this Thanksgiving.

Clockwise from top left: Mattie Andrade of Milford is the fifth generation of

the family; she is surrounded by her grandfather Mark Altus and her great-

grandmother Brenda Altus of West Bloomfield; her parents, Staci and Michael

Andrade of Milford; her great-great-grandmother Mary Cantor of Oak Park; and

her grandmother Brenda Altus of West Bloomfield

A Favorite Day
"For the past 38 years, Thanksgiving has
become our family holiday. We got mar-
ried on Thanksgiving Day in 1971. My
mother, grandmother (who is now 991/2)
and my grandmother's best friend made
a traditional kosher Thanksgiving dinner
for all of our guests.
"But what I am thankful for is my hus-
band, our marriage, three daughters —
two born the week before Thanksgiving
so that I could be home to make dinner
— and our two beautiful granddaughters.
"My husband, Mark, has been the kind-
est, most wonderful supportive partner
anyone could ever hope for. When I wanted
to go back to school for an education spe-
cialist degree, he altered his work schedule
to be home with three little ones so that I
could attend classes after work. We have
always worked as a team, making many
very close friends — another big item on
my thankful list.
"Finally, I'm thankful for all of the
freedoms that we in America have: the
freedom to choose our own spouses, to
have a career of our own choice, freedom
of speech and government selection and,
most of all, the freedom to worship where
and how we wish.
"This Thanksgiving, we will have five

generations at our home for Thanksgiving.
It's our favorite holiday of the year!"
— Brenda Altus, West Bloomfield

Being Alive
"I almost died this summer. That I did
not is more than just a miracle — it is
due to the team of doctors, nurses, physi-
cian assistants and nursing assistants at
Beaumont Hospital [in Royal Oak]; the
occupational and physical therapists and
nursing staff at Evergreen Health and
Living Center [in Southfield]; an untold
number of people — some of whom I
have never met — who sent prayers for
me; my adult children, who took weeks
from their busy lives to advocate for me
when I was unable to do so for myself; all
the friends who sent cards and stayed in
touch; my deceased husband, Jack, who I
know was watching to make sure I would
be well enough to continue my life.
"A virulent, rare and extremely fast-
developing virus sent me to Beaumont in
such pain I could hardly breathe or walk. I
spent the better part of the next five weeks
there, where I also underwent surgery to
clear out the abscess from my spinal cord,
which had made me septic. Rehab contin-
ued until the middle of September. For 63
days, my life was in the hands of all those
wonderful saviors. To all of them, I am
eternally and forever grateful and thankful
to be alive
— Paula Finkelstein, Southfield

Giving Thanks on page 12

November 26 • 2009 11