We Americans have had a rocky year.

What, with an economy that’s moving at a snail’s pace, an unemployment rate that’s at about 10 percent and a record 14 percent of homeowners behind on their mortgage payments or in foreclosure.

Debates over the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan have split our nation, along with a wild health care debate that produced some ugly images last August. The swine flu scare has been paralyzing, too.

Almost all of us have been affected mightily by this year’s lows. And between Michael Jackson’s death and Chicago striking out on the Olympic games, it feels as though we’ve had little to celebrate.

But when we set out this week to talk to area residents about the things they’re most thankful for this year, the overriding answer was family and friends.

In a year that’s presented obstacles and hardships for a larger number of people, having the company and support of loved ones isn’t something many people are taking for granted.

As Sam Pena, of Racine, told us: “It’s all about family.”

“You have so many things,” he said. “You can be angry. You can feel a whole bunch of stuff, but when you get to family, it’s like everything changes. You got food. You got memories.”

Here’s a look at the ways some other area people are feeling thankful this Thanksgiving:

— Mark Chostner, of Gurnee, Ill.

The bandage covering Mark Chostner’s finger made it a little harder for him to cast his fishing rod into the Kenosha Harbor this week. But he’s thankful he still has his hand and more after a recent accident.

“I’m thankful I’m still living, that’s for sure,” Chostner said. “And I’m thankful for the fish here; it gives me something to do.”

Recently, Chostner and a friend rented a log splitter. They were in a hurry because they had the machine for just a few hours, and Chostner got his hand too close to the blade. He lost the tip of his finger in the mishap.

“It could have been a lot worse,” he said.

— Jasmine Williams, University of Wisconsin-Parkside student

Jasmine Williams realizes not everyone has an opportunity to attend college, so she’s happy to be attending the University of Wisconsin-Parkside.

Williams said she’s thankful to have the support of her parents, family and friends who have helped her reach the college level.

“I almost didn’t make it this far,” she said. “Growing up, I was struggling with school and stuff. Being here (at Parkside), I love it. It’s something I really enjoy doing.”

—Andrea and Seth Pearson, of Kenosha

Andrea and Seth Pearson have a lot to be thankful for this year. They have been happily married since August and are eager to share their first Thanksgiving together.

“That’s what it’s about, family and friends,” Seth said.

Above all, they’re thankful Andrea is alive. Last summer, she was on board an 18-foot boat that crashed into the outer breakwall in Kenosha’s harbor. Andrea and another passenger were thrown into the wall and suffered serious injuries. The driver, a 31-year-old Kenosha man, died in the crash.

“I’m thankful to be alive and walking and healthy and have my family and friends around me,” Andrea said. “I’m not back to normal yet, but I’m just happy to be here now.”

— Bruce and Carolyn Bakken, of Kenosha

The thanks Bruce and Carolyn Bakken share for their health this season comes with the weight of another family’s suffering.

Bruce recently learned his niece and nephew have been diagnosed with Sanfilippo syndrome, a rare genetic disease that likely will prevent the children from living past age 10.

“When you’re going to lose your only two kids, it’s really sad,” Carolyn said.

— Rehan Mahmood, University of Wisconsin-Parkside student

For Rehan Mahmood, family and friends make every year better than the last.

“You can’t live without them,” he said. “Every year comes by, you learn more, you grow smarter, you learn more things.”

— Dan Ringier, of Gurnee

Dan Ringier’s smile might be a little wider when he looks across the table this Thanksgiving and sees his son sitting there.

About a month ago, the 18-year-old was driving from a Carthage soccer game when his car spun out and was left disabled in the middle of Highway 41 in Illinois. Ringier’s son had barely stepped out of the car when a truck crashed into it, destroying the vehicle.

Initially, Ringier said he was upset about the costs associated with the vehicle damage. That soon changed.

“About the third day, I was looking at him laughing and joking, and I’m like. ‘Who cares about the five grand?’”

— Eddie Vinson, University of Wisconsin-Parkside student

It’s not often you hear about a single man who’s going to school and trying to raise two kids, but Eddie Vinson is happy to be doing it.

Vinson’s Thanksgiving turned a lot brighter a few weeks ago when he was granted full custody of his children, ages 1 and 2.

“I’m thankful for my two kids,” he said. “You don’t hear of many single fathers getting their kids.”