and waited for was the time to arrive when they could go home. I am thankful that my family has never had to be detained or armed against any other nation.

Our democratic leadership and principles keep us free from the tragedy that we too often see played out on our TV screens. I am thankful that I do not have to live through anything like "ethnic cleansing''. May Bermuda always be free from the horrors of war, and may we always enjoy the freedom to worship our God in our own ways.

I appreciate that Bermuda gives me the opportunity for a free education, to expand my God-given intelligence and use it to better myself. I do not know what future path my education will take, but I know that I will be able to make that decision for myself. The potential to express myself and be most fully me lies in my education. Hopefully, one day I will be able to use this education not only to better myself, but also my community and my fellow man.

My parents, who have sacrificed for my education, understand that an educated mind is a mind that cannot be enslaved. I thank them for urging me on, even when it is not easy.

I live on the very brink of the 21st century. A new Millennium is merely days away! I am thankful to have grown up with the advantages of the technical progress of the 20th century. Transportation and communication advancements link Bermuda to the rest of the world. I can pick up the telephone and call relatives and friends in far away places. Less than 100 years ago, many people could only think and dream about visiting our beautiful island home. Today I can make my flight reservations on the Internet! People from many nations come and go, freely visiting and doing business here. I live on the brink of the fastest paced technology that man has ever known. Medical discoveries of this century have expanded our life expectancy, lowered infant death rates, and stopped the spread of many diseases. Who knows, I may even live to see the next century! Today mankind must look back at its past successes in order to understand how to unite and move forward to the promise of future successes. On this Thanksgiving Day in 1999, I am thankful for the sudden clear understanding of my CedarBridge Academy motto: "Unity, Understanding, Success''.

By Amy Stewart of CedarBridge Academy I am thankful for each and everyday, how the sun rises and sets each morning and evening, because each day is a gift from God.

I am thankful for the love of my family, and the togetherness we have.

You know, people everywhere take for granted the little things in life.

Those little things in life are what I'm thankful for the most. At night, when I'm in bed, I thank the Lord for all he did for me that day. I let him know that I appreciate and am thankful for everything he provides for my family and I.

I am thankful that I awaken to mother's soft voice and her good morning kiss.

I am thankful for my sister and the way we laugh and cry together. I am thankful for my dad and the way he comes home from a long day of work with a smile on his face, ready to tell us about his day.

I am thankful for every hug I receive from a loved one.

When I'm down or having a bad day, one hug makes a world of difference.

Sometimes I just stop to think that we are all God's creatures, and how he made all of us with love and uniqueness. I am thankful that there is no-one else in the world exactly like me.

I am thankful for this lovely island of Bermuda that I live in. I am thankful for the lovely pink sand and the colourful kites and gombeys. I am thankful that there is not as much crime and killing here as in the other parts of the world.

I am thankful for the great education that my parents provide for me so that I can do something great when I grow up.

I am thankful for all the kind people in the world who live their life in a good way, who lend a helping hand when needed or offer to help people out of the kindness of their heart.

I am also thankful to teachers everywhere who devote their whole career to teach children, to make their lives better. I look up to teachers in many different ways. They are heroes to many people. People may have money and be rich, but be miserable and alone.

I am thankful that I have learned to love and to accept love in many different ways, shapes, forms and sizes.

I am thankful that my mother has brought the American Thanksgiving tradition to Bermuda. Even though she works on that day my mom still manages to put together a beautiful Thanksgiving meal.

We have so much to be thankful for on this island and it would be wonderful to make Thanksgiving a public holiday in Bermuda so that all Bermudians could all be very thankful together.

Tradition, love, togetherness and food make the best Thanksgivings! By Alicia Tucker of Warwick Academy I had just finished my homework last night as usual, and I turned on the television. There was a programme on about a child whose parents had been killed in a war and she had no money. It really made me think about what I was thankful for. You know, the everyday things in life that we take for granted.

I mean, I have parents who love me, and I have lots of friends, but that girl has nobody! Her parents being shot in a war is absolutely horrible! I am glad that I live in a place with no wars and no guns. I am glad that I live in a place that believes in peace. I say I am hungry sometimes, but the truth is I do not even know what the word hungry means. I am just about to have my third meal for the day.

Some people like that girl would be lucky if they ate a peace of bread in a day. When I say I am cold in the night I am really not. That girl has to go to a shelter made out of sticks and mud for the night. Some people sleep outside! I am glad that my house is made out of strong concrete.

I was angry with my dad the other day for not buying me the dress that I wanted, but I should not have been. That girl had only one piece of clothing, which looked like rags, and it was all dirty. I am happy that I wear more than one piece of clean clothing. I am happy I am allowed $10 each week for my allowance. Some people are lucky if they make that much in a month.

The ruins of the city in which this girl lives are unbelievable. There is rubble everywhere and probably enough blood to paint a house. I am glad that I live in a beautiful country.

I heard that some people died because the hospitals did not have enough medicines, and that some of the injured people did not even see a doctor. I am glad I have enough doctors and plenty of medicines for every kind of illness or injury.

I sometimes complain about school and doing too much work, but I really am thankful because I have a good education and have dreams about what I want to be when I grow up. That girl has lost her dream to be what she wants to be when she grows up.

The strange thing is that girl smiled. Even though she has lost everything, and it seems as though her world is falling apart, she has kept hold of one thing, and that is faith. The poorest people are probably the happiest, because it is then when the faith is the greatest.

By Hayles Giles of BHS I could start this essay by saying I am thankful for all the usual things such as clothing, a home, food on the table, but I would be wrong in thinking they are usual things for everyone. I should never take things for granted, but I have to say that I do.

In my own life, I am very thankful that I have a home to go to, parents that love me, a sister that has added lots to my life. Although my sister Kelly is six years younger than I am, she has taught me a great deal. Kelly uses a wheelchair. I look at the challenges that she faces every day and I am thankful and proud of our family that we are able to help meet those challenges. Kelly does things differently than most seven year olds, and there are many things she can't do, but she has shown me the vast amount of things she can do. Our family is a happy one. Many people see us and feel very sad for Kelly and the family, but we are very grateful for all that Kelly has taught us about differing strengths and abilities.

We laugh a lot in our house and I am thankful that Kelly is in a home where she is loved and will always be taken care of. Our family is strong. I know that a lot of parents don't stay together after a medical crisis like this, but Kelly has actually made us a stronger family. I can't say that I am grateful that she was born without the ability to walk, but what I am grateful for is that she has made me a nicer person.

I am also very thankful that I have my own health and my parents are healthy.

This will make it easier to take care of Kelly. People that are healthy sometimes take this for granted. Kelly shows me how thankful I really should be every time I walk, run, or jump.

I am also very thankful that she is in a school where she is liked for herself. She has lots of friends that don't seem to look at the wheelchair.

They look at the "inside'' first.

I think Bermuda and the rest of the world is getting to be a better place for people with disabilities and I am very grateful for this change. I think, in her own way, she is helping with the change! She shows that differences should not be feared. I remember what my Mom said when my sister was born. She was wondering how we would ever deal with Kelly in our life, but that all changed quite soon. It became how would we ever deal without her in our life. I am truly thankful for this change.

These are some of the many things that I am thankful for.

John McKenna Warwick Academy Being alive for 16 years, I am first thankful to God my creator, for being merciful all these years and not my eliminator. I thank God for giving me a very loving family and having caring friends. Most of all I thank God for never leaving me, for on him I can depend. He has protected my home country from many disasters. Emily, Hugo, Felix and Gert, they are all now out to pasture.

To my mother and best friend, I am thankful for you being you. There are not enough words that can express the things you do, but I will try and list a few: Being responsible in making tough decisions in my upbringing; For making me laugh in sad situations by your singing; Thanks for being my bodyguard, when people messed with me; For being my sister and always getting me in trouble with daddy; For being my teacher and helping me with difficult questions; and For being my mentor and helping me through the stages of life's possessions.

I am thankful for my family where there is plenty of love for everybody. For my granny who would stay on top of everyone's health; and my uncle Shine who has spread our name and wealth. For another uncle who has shown me self-defence, some day I will make him feel his time was well spent. For my aunts who have given me moral support and great advice, that has and will help me graduate not once, not twice, but thrice. I am very thankful for my grandpa who is in the hospital fighting. He has shown me that I am always worth something. For all my cousins I am thankful today because they make me feel lucky in their own little way.

I would like to show my gratitude to my friends, for when I was in the hospital they did attend. Even though it was two years ago, I will never forget how you guys eased my pain and change my thoughts of regrets. Instead of concentrating on what was happening to me then, I dreamt and planned of the good times that we would spend. I am thankful for my dreams coming true and my recovery was quick, because of you guys I had no time to be sick. It is a true saying, "do unto others, as you would have them do unto you'', for as much love and concern that they showed toward me, I would be glad to return too.

Like everyone else I go for big bucks, but I remember what the American money said: "in God we trust''.

By Adorna Hayward of CedarBridge Academy I am thankful for my foster mother. I was placed in a foster home at the age of five because my mother was unable to take care of me. My foster mother has raised me in a good and productive environment. She has made sure I have everything I need on a day-to-day basis.

My foster mother has introduced me to the church scene which has made my attitude and lifestyle positive. She has also introduced me to the music world. I now play the violin, and sing, and also take dance classes. I attend the Salvation Army and I'm a part of the band there. My foster mother not only teaches me, I'm taught by the loving church members that I call my aunts and uncles.

I have been on many trips overseas and have even been on two cruises, all at her expense. I am thankful to her because some children that live with their own parents do not have these opportunities that I have had, and some of them will never get it. My foster mother has taught me to appreciate and take advantage of everything that I do. She also tells me that I should learn at least one thing from what I'm taught.

My foster mother has also made sure that I do well in school. At first, I didn't do too well, but as I grew older and settled down and was able to understand the concept of my situation, and deal with it, I did pretty good.

It all started in the last year at middle school when my grade point average was a 2.5. I got honours, merits, and the prize for the most polite student in the school. Now as I'm in my senior years, I'm doing even better. My GPA (Grade Point Average) has gone up to a 3.1 and I hope to graduate with a 3.8 average.

The help of my foster mother has given me confidence and self-esteem. All that I have been able to do could not have been done without the help and guidance of my foster mother, that's why I'm so very thankful and grateful to her. As I finish school, I plan to build my own home and become a paediatric nurse. I hope to donate something to my foster mother that will show her my appreciation for all the love, care, faith, belief, and for having confidence in me to succeed in life.

Because of all that I have been through, I have learned how to serve my community and give back. Ever since I was little I have helped the community by being a brownie and later graduated to the girl guides. I have been and still go to rest homes to be with the elderly people. I also assist the Salvation Army with their soup run, by feeding the homeless on the streets, and pray with people in the community who need prayer. I anticipate I will be a candystriper in the near future. I also help my foster mother at the nursery where she works from time to time.

In closing, I would just like to say that it is only by the grace of God that I find myself in this position to have a dream and to know what I want in life. It is only the love of a stranger that took me in which made it possible for me to succeed.

By Charjan Palmer of CedarBridge Academy