Gratitude Lives Here
Voices from the Lakes Region highlight the beauty, kindness, and community that make this place home.
There’s something about Thanksgiving in the Lakes Region that feels deeper, quieter, and more heartfelt than anywhere else. Maybe it’s the glow of the mountains at dusk, or the way the lakes soften into glass this time of year—still, reflective, inviting us to pause. Keys to the Lakes felt that tug recently, so we set out to ask people across our community one simple and powerful question
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“What are you grateful for this year?”
The responses we received were honest, tender, joyful, and beautifully grounded in what makes this corner of New Hampshire so special. Gratitude lives here—in the people, in the landscape, and in the small everyday blessings that mean the most.
Here’s what our community shared:
“I’m grateful for the opportunity to serve my community—in Manchester Kiwanis, Friends of the Cashin Center, and working with people in recovery. I’m grateful for healthy children, a healthy grandchild, my own health, my Elite Mortgage partners, and the incredible people I get to work with. And I’m grateful to have been in recovery for 19 years and 11 months.”
“I’m thankful for living in the most beautiful place in the world—New Hampshire. The people are wonderful and friendly. The mountains are beautiful, and the deer, moose, birds, and wildlife remind me every day how lucky we are.”
“I’m grateful for my family, our new home, and so much more.”
“Thankful for all our friends and family!”
“We recently had the joy of celebrating my daughter’s wedding in the beautiful New Hampshire fall season. It was a rite of passage not only for her but for me as her mom. I’m grateful I got to be there and share it all with her and our family.”
“I’m thankful for friendships, both new and enduring. For being able to work, earn, and provide. For clean air, clean water, and abundant food.”
“I am so grateful to the trail blazers and maintainers. Hiking in our beautiful state is a huge part of my healing. And always—friends, both new and old.”
“I’m thankful for my family, having a roof over my head & food on the table.”
“Top gratitude item #1 is family and friends. With so many people having health issues, I’m grateful to have my good health. Grateful for living in a place that seems healthier because I can breathe fresh air, see the stars at night, and hear the peaceful sounds of nature around me.”
“Magical! We are so blessed to be surrounded with an abundance of peace and beauty.”
“I am grateful that once a month the women on my road get together for lunch. I love my neighbors! – Ginger Murphy Carbaugh”
“Beautiful.”
“I love living there.”
“So serene.”
“I loved going to Blacks gift store in New Hampshire.”
“The kindness and generosity of NH people.”
“Grateful for being able to look at this view every day. Watching the lake change with the seasons is amazing. Came here as a kid, so I’ve loved the lake my whole life.”
“My home, my family, the sun, moon, and stars—and my NH roots!”
“Life!”
“Our pets.”
“Thankful for the 700 volunteers and community donors who support the Greater Lakes Region Children’s Auction. Last year we raised over $763,000 to financially support 80 nonprofits serving local kids.”
“Absolutely Grateful: Health kids, Warm house, Hot water, Plenty of food, Bills paid, Sleeping kittens, My love, The best hike and Donations to the Humane Society”
Each response, whether simple or deeply personal, carried the same heartbeat: there is always something to be grateful for. Even in seasons of uncertainty, even when life feels heavy, gratitude has a way of pulling us back to center. It reminds us that light still gets in—sometimes through the smallest cracks.
As we move into the holiday season, we hope these shared sentiments inspire you to pause and notice your own list, whether it’s long, short, or still forming. Gratitude doesn’t erase challenges, but it softens the edges. It invites us to focus on what’s steady, what’s beautiful, what’s still here.
Keys to the Lakes is truly grateful to everyone who took a moment out of their day to share these heartfelt reflections. Your words paint a vivid picture of what matters most between the lakes and the mountains: family, friends, healing, humor, nature, connection, community, and the simple gift of being here.
As Thanksgiving arrives, we hope these voices inspire you to pause and notice your own reasons to be thankful—big or small, loud or quiet, silly or sacred. Gratitude grows when we share it, and it shines brightest when life feels uncertain.
From our hearts to yours, we wish you a warm, peaceful, and deeply meaningful Thanksgiving!
Here’s to life between the lakes and the mountains.
🍂 Keys to the Lakes
— Jenn & Andrea
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