Deborah Jones, human resources generalist, Glen Allen: “I’m thankful that God has allowed me to be on this earth for 59 years. I’m also thankful for being employed after searching for a job for two years.”

Reginald D. “Regie” Ford, corporate trainer, Downtown Richmond: “I am most thankful for my good health. About a year ago, I gave up eating meat. I dropped weight and lowered my cholesterol, blood pressure and aches and pains.”

Lena Jaggi, Virginia Commonwealth University graduate student, Downtown Richmond: “I’m most thankful for my two families — my family back home in Switzerland and my husband’s family. They have adopted me like a daughter.”

David Hill, banker, West End: “I am most thankful for the ability to express myself creatively and for the interaction I have with my family. My family, singing, playing instruments and painting make me a better person.”

Margaret Tharrington, analyst, South Side: “I am most thankful for peace of mind. That’s why I’m in the park now. I enjoy the quiet. After being here for about an hour, I feel like I can take on the world.”

Matthew Zaremski, food vendor, Church Hill: “I am thankful just to be alive today. I’ve had things happen to me that were beyond my control and could have caused me not to be here. I am equally as thankful for food to eat and a roof over my head because, at one point in my life, I didn’t have that.”

Tammy Hargrove, makeup artist, Henrico County: “I am thankful for my hair stylist because she lets me do crazy stuff with my hair and that inspires me creatively.”