While Thanksgiving is a time to reflect on and be grateful for all the blessings we have received, it's also a time to recognize the blessings we can bestow on one another. 

Take time to reflect on the seasoned seniors who have been a positive influence in your life and give them a gift in return. Find a real, specific way to express your thanks. Whether it's in the form of a letter or a visit, be very clear when you remind them of how they have blessed your life. Preparing for the Thanksgiving Day celebration involves numerous tasks, so if you've decided to be that special gift to a senior, start planning now. 

Here are some Thanksgiving Day sentiments shared by some of our West Bank seniors that may inspire you in the right direction. 

Making the acquaintance of the charming and lovely Hazel Palisi was like meeting an old friend. 

Palisi, a lifelong resident of Algiers, will celebrate her 90th birthday on Jan. 6. If you are a former student of Eisenhower, Belleville or Adolf Meyer, you may remember her as your cafeteria manager or one of the ladies who assisted in the preparation of your school lunch. Palisi possesses many outstanding qualities, one of which is genuine humility in the service of others. 

She has very happy memories of working with school children, yet seemed surprised when I suggested that these school children, now adults, also have happy memories of her. If you're a former student at one of the schools where she worked, why not surprise her one day by going to her place of residence, JoEllen Smith Convalescent Center, and letting her know that she made a difference in your life. 

Palisi said she is most thankful this Thanksgiving season for the faithfulness and devotion of her son and daughter-in-law, Frank and Maureen Palisi, who visit her every day, and for her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She also mentioned being very grateful for her friendship of more than 50 years with Hilda Cogan. 

Cogan is a well-known and well-loved figure in Algiers, perhaps mostly for her volunteer efforts either at Our Lady of Wisdom or at the campaign headquarters of Jackie Clarkson, and formerly at the Mary-Joseph Residence for the Elderly. 

Just last week, Cogan was baking for the St. Nick Fest hosted by Our Lady of Wisdom, and as usual, her fudge went quickly. 

As some of you may know, Cogan is recuperating from illness and not only back on her feet, but she's back behind the wheel. She sends her heartfelt thanks to all who continue to pray for her and encourage her on the road to recovery. 

The city of Gretna is certainly very proud of the accomplishments of one of its longtime residents, Cleophas "Lucky" J . LeBlanc. 

As the recipient of various service awards, including the Carol Scalise Award, the Best of the West Award, and Order of St. Louis Award, LeBlanc continues to be a great source of encouragement and inspiration to those in need. 

If there were an award recognizing someone who lived life to the fullest, Lucky LeBlanc would certainly take away the award in such a category. Why? The list is endless, but it includes having nine children, in itself a testimony of a full life; membership in clubs and organizations including the Barbershop Chorus, a bowling club and Golden Age Club; a long record of volunteer service to the Mary-Joseph Residence and Gretna Food Bank; being the recipient of awards demonstrating service to the community; and his employment history at Todd Shipyard. 

Several weeks ago, LeBlanc was the guest speaker at Gretna No. 2 Academy for Advance Studies and shared a history of Gretna and included personal stories of changes he has seen over the years. 

Perhaps the most attentive student in the audience was LeBlanc's proud great-granddaughter, Miranda Hebert, daughter of Paula and Mark Hebert of Gretna. 

Gladys Marie Elizabeth Grundmeyer is one of those people-loving individuals who has obviously never met a stranger. She was born in Algiers in 1910, and very emphatically stated "but I don't feel that old. . . . I feel like I'm 19." 

Grundmeyer claims she has never been sick a day in her life, not even with a headache, and to illustrate her point, she suddenly began singing all the lyrics to "I'll Take You Home Again Kathleen." 

She is very proud to have been employed by the city of New Orleans as a clerk on the first floor of City Hall, where she claims to have "sat in the same chair and at the same desk for 33 years." She recalls working under Mayors Morrison, Schiro and Landrieu. 

Grundmeyer is a resident at Our Lady of Wisdom and enjoys wheeling herself around the facility, usually in search of the chapel. Her positive attitude is refreshing and contagious, and if you ever have the opportunity to meet her, don't pass it up. Remember to ask her for an encore. 

Happy Thanksgiving, Hazel, Hilda, Lucky, Gladys and all of you seasoned seniors out there. You are among our truest of blessings and we are grateful to have you in our lives.