With Thanksgiving days away, First Up host Ed Keenan recently took a step back to reflect on what he’s thankful for.
“In Toronto, we live in a society that is among the safest and most prosperous in the world, with clean drinking water (piped into our homes) and abundant food (from every culinary tradition), with access to medical care that allows unprecedented numbers of us to live long and comfortable lives, with a typical standard of living that would be the envy of the aristocracies of earlier generations,” he wrote.
Then he turned that question back, and asked readers what Toronto things they’re grateful for. Here’s what you came up with:
These comments have been edited for clarity and length.
Safety, quiet and a cheap movie ticket
“I’m thankful for how quiet neighbourhoods in Toronto are. As a big city, it always amazes me to go three or four blocks into a neighbourhood and be able to move from a busy avenue to the quietest streets. Try doing this in other major cities around the world and you’ll fail miserably.” — João Paulo
“Though the city has experienced some challenging moments, I am thankful that we live relatively in a safe place and peaceful environment.” — Mahadevan
“This week I was grateful for the Carlton Cinema where, on a Tuesday night, it is still possible to nab a ticket to a new-ish movie for $7 or less.” — Kathryn
Diversity, women’s sports, and civic hope
“I’m grateful for neighbourhoods where people talk to each other. On my street, I know my neighbours. I sit with them, look out for them, share in food and birthdays, watch their kids grow, see their same-sex partners and chosen families, learn from their cultural upbringing and backgrounds. Some of my neighbours have even been in my bedroom when my kids were born at home. Being Canadian in my neighbourhood is so much of what I wanted when I immigrated.” — Kevin
“I’m grateful that I live in a neighbourhood where there are people from many different backgrounds and we all lend a hand to each other. (I’m especially grateful for my elderly neighbour who brings our family tomatoes and cucumbers from her tiny backyard garden!)
I’m grateful for our parks, the amazing variety of food we can get, that I can walk most places I need to go but still can get on public transit when needed, and the hundreds of people I meet through my job who are working so hard to improve the lives of others, including the Toronto Public Library team.
Oh, and I’m grateful that the Toronto Tempo now exists!” — Jennifer
“I’m grateful decent people still run for public office. Sometimes, they win.” — Steffanie
Don’t forget to tell us why you’re giving thanks in the comments section below.
