What will you be thankful for this Thanksgiving Day? For some, the holiday season can be the time to reflect on what they feel gratitude for, especially with their loved ones. 

Kern Sol News reached out to community members across Kern County and asked, “What are you thankful for this year?”

Jarelli Manriquez (26)

I know it’s really cliché, and I know people say it a lot, but I’m really grateful for my family especially these past few years. These years after my pregnancy and after my son, and especially this year, with my son being diagnosed with autism, it has been really hard. Being a single mom and dealing with all these issues like doctor’s appointments, working with teachers, and going through the school district to get help. It’s a lot.

So, it’s been really good to have that support. My family has even started learning some sign language for my son. I don’t know how to say it exactly, but I guess it’s like they’ve become an extra set of moms for him.

I’m just really grateful for the support systems I have, especially for my son. Family is always there, and of course, you love them, but I feel like my son has brought us even closer. Knowing they have my back and that support, I really feel it now more than ever.

One of my favorite memories from this year was my son saying his first word—‘Mom.’ My mom was there, and she was so happy, even teary-eyed. Sharing that moment with her and with my siblings was amazing. They had the same reaction, and it just made me so happy. It felt like an accomplishment for all of us, not just for me or my son. That’s a memory I’ll always have.

Candy Sandoval (34)

There’s so many things. I just had my third baby, a baby boy. I’m very thankful for the whole process from pregnancy to birth. I was able to deliver him naturally, and everything went really great. Everything went really smoothly.

I also just completed a coaching certification, so I’m really happy about that. I just finished it yesterday. Overall, I’m really grateful for my family and friends, and everyone’s in good health. My girls are in good health, and yeah, I’m just excited for what’s to come.

So I got a total of five certifications in mindset development. I’ll be considered a certified coach in the mindset space. We work with modalities and techniques like hypnosis and EFT, which stands for Emotional Freedom Technique. It’s really popular and works with the meridian points throughout the body and face, helping with things like overcoming limiting beliefs or trauma.

I’ve done coaching in the past, more around goal-setting and motivation, but now I have tools to help on a deeper level, working through subconscious blocks. A lot of these limitations stem from childhood—things like small incidents that leave a lasting impact. 

I finally did it. I’ve had this on the back burner for over three years, so I’m really happy about it. It was a 26-week program, and I just got my certificates. I’m excited to start doing sessions and help people.

One of the reasons I decided to do this program was my kids. I want to help parents, especially those pursuing entrepreneurship. It’s easy to feel like our kids limit us—like we can’t pursue our dreams because of them. But it shouldn’t be that way. Our children should be our motivation, not our limitation. As parents, our own traumas tend to surface, so it’s important to work on ourselves. 

Wendy Coria (Arvin resident)

Well, first of all, I’m thankful for having all my family and health. We’re all here this year. I have all my family complete because I’ve seen so many tragic stories of the year, coming along with accidents and all that stuff that. Some people are missing their loved ones. I’m thankful for having all my family and that we’re all going to be together again another year.

One of the favorite memories right now that I have, because I am really close to my boys and my husband, is that one of the best ones right now is from my oldest boy, Joshua. He became a realtor this year, and he’s been selling homes. And I’m just proud of him that he’s doing what he wants to do, and he’s in business now as a realtor. This will be his first year, and he’s doing really good.

The second one is my other one—my second boy. He became a bus driver with custodian this year as well. Jonathan became a custodian, and he works for the Arvin District, and then he got his license and he became a bus driver as well. He’s one of the youngest bus drivers here in Arvin.

So I’m proud. I’m a proud mom, and they’re doing really good.

I’m also thankful [for Arvin] because I think Arvin is a small city—it’s considered a city now. It’s small, and that’s where I opened my business. And I think that if we had bigger stores like Walmart and Target, we wouldn’t have any business out here in Arvin for smaller locations like ours—small businesses.

I’ve been self-employed for 11 years now. I’m the owner of Classy Boutique, a clothing store where I sell perfumes, clothes, jewelry, shoes—a little bit of everything. It’s located in Arvin at 225 Bear Mountain.

Cassandra Walker (26)

This year, I’m most thankful for being surrounded by my happy, healthy, and very close-knit family. This year, my family grew closer since my godson was born. I’m also thankful for my friends who have been there throughout the good and bad times, and also my cat, Mamas, for being my emotional support companion. 

Before I moved for my grad program [ to master in sports business], my most fond memory was when we all got together for dinner as a farewell dinner. Everyone was at my house, even my cat. It was just nice to be together as a happy family. I’m learning a lot. I do get homesick at times, but even though my family and I are apart, it still feels like we’re together.