Here’s what you told us you’re grateful for this Thanksgiving, Kansas City | Opinion
Thanksgiving is a time for many of us to gather with family and friends to take stock of our lives, and contemplate what makes us grateful. Today, those of us on The Star’s Opinion team share what we’re thankful for:
Feeding people
This year, I’ve written often about hunger and food insecurity. I’m grateful for the Kansas City-area people who are working to help people, especially children, get the nutrition they need to lead productive lives in school and in their communities. It doesn’t take a government shutdown to understand that many of our neighbors simply don’t get enough to eat, whether it’s because they can’t afford to buy groceries, or because of cutbacks in SNAP and Medicaid assistance programs.
So, today, I want to say thank you to Chef Shanita McAfee-Bryant of ProspectKC, the folks at Harvesters Community Food Network, Kanbe’s Markets, Pete’s Garden, all the teachers who do what they can to make sure their students get fed, and others who help fill tummies.
- Yvette Walker, Opinion editor
Listening
This has been a turbulent year (again), but I’ve continued to find escape and solace in music. I’m thankful for my hearing, for my parents who gave me the gift of piano lessons throughout my childhood, and for my family and friends who sing, play and percuss along — and whom I’ve seen play live more times throughout 2025 than I can remember.
I know a few people who don’t care about music at all, who don’t have a favorite musician or work, who don’t own a single LP or CD. I don’t pity them, because that’s just not their thing. But I’m grateful for the music that continues to sustain me.
As for 2026, I hope this will be the year people finally realize that the internet, especially social media, has become fundamentally broken, and they turn back to paying attention to traditional, responsible reporting — and talking to one another again.
- Derek Donovan, Deputy opinion editor
My kids
For me, Thanksgiving is always a good time for reflection. As I look back on the past year, I am thankful for many, many things, including the opportunity even to pen this note of gratitude. To be able to help others tell their stories, highlight injustices and hold the powerful to account as a member of this board is truly a blessing that I would never take for granted.
But the appreciation that I have to be able to write for a living pales in comparison to the ultimate job: being a parent. I am so thankful for my children (my oldest is 26 and my youngest is 15). Although each of them has forged their own path in this world, being a father to them is my greatest gift. Being a dad brings me joy and each and every chance I get, I let my kids know they are my No. 1 priority and that they are loved.
- Toriano Porter, Columnist and editorial board member
All together
I am thankful to be back in town with all three of my children’s grandmothers — my mother, mother-in-law and step-mother — and that we are able to gather them together over the holidays this year. Two of the three have been in the hospital in recent months, and for a while we were worried if we could.
- David Mastio, National opinion correspondent
Respite
This year — like every year — I am thankful for my favorite coffee shop, La Prima Tazza in Lawrence. It’s my office, it’s my social club, it’s my community. Most important, it’s the place where I encounter people in real life instead of settling for the crazy-making alienation of social media.
You might say that it’s … grounding.
- Joel Mathis, Regular opinion correspondent
Your voices
We also asked you, readers, to share your reflections on what the holiday means to you, and what you hope 2026 brings. From faith to family to politics, we got a lot to think about:
Renewal
I am thankful for a loving God who shows me the way to a grateful and hopeful community. I am extremely grateful for all of your blessings you have bestowed upon my family, Lord. I pray that you remind me of just how blessed I am and that you never allow me to forget to show my gratitude in prayer and returned acts of kindness.
In 2026, I am hopeful for continued health of my family and friends. I pray for a renewal of family relationship.
- Susan Wagner, Kansas City
Dignity
I am thankful for the community of advocates who are willing to exercise their voices and resources to defend democracy. I hope that Americans will restore dignity to immigrants. I hope people will vote their values in the midterms.
- Janet Milkovich, Overland Park
No visits
This year, I am thankful that large throngs of masked Immigration and Customs Enforcement have not visited our city. For next year, I hope they do not visit our city.
- Andy Hickerson, Leawood
Great again
I am thankful that the current presidential administration is now being recognized for the fake appearance of leadership. I hope we will be able to reverse the examples this administration has displayed, and use them to get back to being the great America we were.
- Anonymous
Generosity
I am the pantry coordinator for Feed Northland Kids, serving schools in Platte and Clay counties. I am incredibly thankful for the goodness and generosity of people who donate to our pantry. I am overwhelmed by their willingness to help and serve others.
In addition, I am thankful for family and the time we spend together, not only for holidays but throughout the year. I am blessed beyond measure.
Next year, I am hopeful that honesty and integrity will sweep our nation, and that the American people will continue to rally and support one another during these troubled times.
- Kathy Cavaleri, Parkville
Safe place
I’m thankful that through these hard times Kansas City has remained a safe place for LGTBQ+ people and immigrants. In 2026, I hope that we can show ourselves off at the World Cup as one of the best cities in the world.
- Jarrett Skaggs, Kansas City
Democracy
I’m thankful that so many people believe in a democratic government.
- Anonymous
Outlasted
I’m thankful that 250 years ago, farmers, merchants, clergy and fishermen found weapons and gathered to form an army to fight against the supreme naval and ground force in the world, and managed to avoid destruction enough times to finally outlast and defeat the forces of an oppressive king and government that disparaged and ridiculed them.
Next year, I hope all of us who refuse to be controlled by corruption, incompetence and elitism will continue to seek justice, resist authoritarianism and demand accountability of those who would eliminate “the least of us” by slow genocide, nationally and globally.
- Linda Neal, Kansas City
Less chaos
I’m thankful for a streetcar that stops at my back door. I hope for less chaos in D.C. and, thus, less in the U.S.
- Bill Tammeus, Kansas City
Fairness
I’m thankful for friends and family. Next year, I hope for fair representation by our elected representatives.
- Overland Park resident
Prayer
I thank God for the health of my family and myself. During the past year and even today, I have friends who are suffering from life-threatening diseases.
I hope that some of my family and friends will return back to the Christian religion and prayer.
- Anonymous
World Cup
I am thankful to live in a city whose citizens strive to uphold our principles of democracy. They hold peaceful demonstrations, organize petition campaigns against gerrymandering and our governor’s attempt to destroy the initiative process and overturn an already-passed, popular referendum on women’s health care rights.
Next year, I hope Kansas City impresses the world with our hospitality during the FIFA World Cup.
- Sally Frederick, Kansas City
Business-savvy
I’m thankful for having a business-savvy president.
Next year, I hope to maintain a Republican-controlled Congress.
- Kevin McDaniel, Lenexa
Faith in Jesus
I am thankful for our family, which has grown in 2025 with the birth of two new grandchildren, and the times we are able to spend together living, laughing and loving. Whether it be at weekly family dinners, going to Chiefs, Royals and Jayhawk games, vacations on the beach or just hanging out, we help and support each other regardless of life’s circumstances. Our faith in Jesus and the support of our church family has allowed us to enjoy the good times and endure the rough times. This is what makes this Thanksgiving so special.
Our hopes for next year are good health, deeper relationships with friends and others and being a light in sharing our faith walk.
- Jim Baumann, Overland Park
Start with ‘f’
I have so many things to be thankful for that I have to put them in categories, all but one beginning with the letter “f” — my faith, God’s forgiveness, my family, my father and mother, my freedom, my friends, my finances, my food, my fitness (for an 86-year-old), the flora and fauna I enjoy — and for music.
In 2026, I hope that humility and forgiveness will grow, and that arrogance and revenge will diminish in our country.
- Joe Reitz, Eudora
Freedoms
I’m thankful that the American people are resisting the cruelty of the current administration and fighting for our freedoms.
Next year, I hope the midterm elections put an end to this travesty of our current regime.
- Leawood resident
Love, peace
I am thankful to be here, alive, on this beautiful Earth. My husband Kenny has dementia, but we do as we have done all our lives: We take care of each other. Love is the only thing that will get you through life. Give it, accept it and thank God every day.
In 2026, I hope that our country will find peace, and we will all care about one another.
- Mission resident
Real wealth
Every holiday season is a mixed bag for me. I am blessed to have my amazing wife of 54 years, my son who lives in San Francisco but spends every Thanksgiving with us in Kansas City, my daughter and the guy I call my second son who live in Denver with Jack and Molly, and all my lifelong wonderful friends, near and far. My family and my friends are truly my wealth. Yet, I have several of my good friends who are ill, one terminally with two cancers and so many others for whom these two months are not happy times at all — folks who have so little when I have so much.
I have been a registered Republican for 60 years, but I fervently hope that next year’s election season will bring an overwhelming victory to the Democrats — so overwhelming that Donald Trump can be impeached for the third time, and this time convicted. Our forefathers are rolling in their graves. When they crafted the Constitution, the only prohibitions were requirements that candidates must be born in the United States and be at least 35 years old. Do you ever think they could have envisioned a president twice convicted in federal court for income tax evasion and election obstruction and once convicted in civil court for sexual assault?
- Jim Huntington, Fairway
Fewer killings
I’m thankful for family, friends and church.
Next year, I hope for better health and fewer killings.
- Anonymous
As is
I’m nearly 89 and thankful to be alive, but most of all, I’m thankful for being alive with my lifelong mate of 67 years.
And I hope to continue as is for another year.
- Phil Warnken, Columbia
