So many blessings in Hampton Roads

Too often, we take for granted the many things that enrich our lives. Here are a few of the people, places and things we appreciate, to help get you started on this Thanksgiving Day 2011.

We're thankful for...

Hurricane Irene causing far less damage than predicted and feared

The round-the-clock efforts of utilities and neighbors to return life to normal

The resiliency of the people hit by the storm on the Outer Banks, despite being cut off from the mainland

Children's Hospital of The King's Daughters and its staff, who provide first-rate care for our youngest and most vulnerable

Norfolk's light rail system, which finally opened, then exceeded ridership projections, and now has residents of every city in Hampton Roads considering how mass transit might change their communities

The prospect of Amtrak trains from Harbor Park to D.C. and New York and Boston, along with the possibility of escaping traffic on one of the worst roadtrips in America

Fort Monroe beginning its new life as a national monument after the president circumvented congressional paralysis

The opening of the Chrysler Museum's major new glass studio - and its many classes for the public and the curious - which is the latest sign that Hampton Roads belongs among the major centers for glass art in America

The Norfolk Botanical Garden and its acres of green grasses, blooming flowers and tranquil ponds, reminding us that retreat is never more than a few miles away

Edible oysters from the Lynnhaven River

The regionwide blitz to fix potholes

Kids on break and parents on vacation, which means a few holiday weeks without the usual madness on the region's highways for the folks still at work and school

Seeds of growth and renewal in Wards Corner

Continuing efforts to revitalize downtown Elizabeth City

Once-resurgent downtowns across the region, hanging on in hopes that the economy will allow them to continue renewing

Twenty thousand volunteers for the city of Virginia Beach spending more than 1 million hours making their city better

The newly renovated Children's Museum in Portsmouth

Canoeing, running, walking or camping at Chesapeake's Northwest River Park

A sunset ride aboard the paddle-wheel ferry between Norfolk and Portsmouth - with bonus points if the draw is raised at the Berkley Bridge.

The people and organizations working to save Pleasure House Point, Virginia Beach's last undeveloped stretch of land on the Lynnhaven River

Farmers' markets everywhere, providing homegrown strawberries, blueberries, pumpkins and hibiscus, among many other treats that should find a place on today's tables

Hayman sweet potatoes, with a little butter

The annual transformation of the Great Dismal Swamp, a few weeks ago among the best places to see changing leaves but now the best spot to steal a Christmas kiss under real, live mistletoe

Eastern Virginia Medical School, educating the next generation of healers

The legions of visitors who travel to Virginia Beach and the Outer Banks each summer, providing work for thousands of our friends and neighbors

All of the military men and women who have protected this nation and made their home in Hampton Roads

For all of those things, and to all of you, we say thanks.