Happy Thanksgiving eve! This is one of our favorite Finish Line editions of the year: We get to share notes of gratitude from readers across America.

• Why it matters: Taking a few minutes to read what people are thankful for — and reflecting on our own answers — is a perfect way to kick off the holiday season. We hope these snippets of gratitude inspire you:

🏠 "I will be forever grateful for the three home health aides who assist my newly widowed 94-year-old father as he tries to imagine a life without his bride of 71 years, while struggling with loneliness and memory loss. Although they have been a part of 'Team Dad' for just a few short months, because of their patient, kind and compassionate care, I now think of these caregivers as a part of our family!" —Laura Magrath, Ridgewood, N.J.

🍔 "I am thankful for the outdoors and especially Joshua Tree National Park [where the Mojave and the Colorado deserts meet, in Twentynine Palms, Calif.]. Hiking with friends makes for a wonderful day. Then having a Hatch Chili Burger at Joshua Tree Saloon says it ALL!" —Robyn Meltzer, Palm Springs, Calif.

🎒 "I am grateful for 5-year-olds. I am a pre-K teacher, and 'The Fives' (as we call our class) remind me that my aging body can still jump and dance and hop on one foot. … Fives stump me every day with questions like, 'Is every day a yesterday?' ... 5-year-olds make me laugh every single day." —Sarah Flanagan, Arlington, Mass.

🩺 "I am grateful for my five kick-ass female doctors at UNC Health for helping me through my cancer diagnosis and treatment." —Dianne Smith, Chapel Hill, N.C.

⚽ "We moved cross-country in April from Florida to Washington. And for the first time ever, we live near our two adult daughters, their husbands and our 4 grandchildren. There is absolutely nothing that compares to living in the same breathing space with them and being able to be available and attend games, recitals, meets and school functions." —Cindy Benz, Lacey, Wash.

🪖 "Being a disabled veteran of the Vietnam War, I am grateful this year because, for the first time in over 50 years, I can now bear to listen to some of the stories about that horrible war from other soldiers and especially the nurses, the angels who were there during some of the worst of the fighting. PTSD is real and can surface again many years later. Actually, you never really leave Vietnam behind. ... Unfortunately, we will take this to our graves. But a slight relief is better than none." —Mike Bryant, Houston

🧪 "I am grateful for science and research. It has given me five years since my non-smoking daughter was diagnosed with Stage IV lung cancer. She has a genetic mutation known as ROS1+cancer. She and all the other ROS-wonders are able to take drugs targeted to that specific gene. No cure, but a hope for more, more time. She saw her younger daughter graduate; her eldest was just the most beautiful bride. All of this was because of science and research. I am a very grateful mom." —Karen Haynie, Mountain Home, Texas

👶 "After years of unexplained infertility, I'm thankful for my newborn daughter — a little sister to my firstborn, and the perfect addition to our family." —Kelsey Song, Columbus, Ohio

💼 "At the beginning of the year, I lost my job as part of mass layoffs. Since then, more than 20 mentors have spent time with me to help me rediscover my strengths, refine my goals, and start a small business. Some are colleagues I hadn't worked with in 20 years — but returned my texts, nonetheless. Some were complete strangers I had admired from afar who replied to my cold email. Four dear friends joined a personal board of directors, meeting me every 3 weeks to guide and challenge me. This fall, as my new business picks up speed, I am in deep awe of the generosity of these mentors." —Jonathan Block, Atlanta

❤️ "I just got diagnosed with cancer, and my husband has been with me every step of the way. He's been in the waiting room when I return from the latest scan, MRI or other exam, and sitting with me during appointments with my oncologist and surgeon, asking all the right questions. I feel like the luckiest woman in the world to have married him." —Jodi Sakol, Piedmont, Calif.

This shot was captured by Finish Line reader Ryan Young at Yosemite National Park, in the Sierra Nevada mountains of California.

• "I took the trip up to Yosemite last month and took some of the best pictures of my amateur career," Ryan tells us.