What I’m Thankful For
This has been a difficult year, and it’s easy to focus on the consequences and challenges brought on by COVID. But lately, I’ve been avoiding my usual stops on social media and finding more time for contemplation. I’ve come to realize that even in this dark and frustrating time, it’s easy to find things to be thankful for.
First, I’m thankful for my health, and I’m equally thankful for the health of my friends, family, coworkers and clients. It hasn’t been easy to remain distant from our parents, siblings and friends, but these many small decisions to avoid the office, inside dining and yes, traveling to see family for events like Thanksgiving have paid off so far.
We’ll get back to this kind of Thanksgiving dinner – next year.
I’m thankful for our government and for the taxes we pay to support it. Like many businesses across the country, we were recipients of a Payroll Protection Loan. Those funds allowed us to survive a few months of unprecedented revenue contraction and to hold on to employees through an uncertain period.
I’m thankful for all the election officials across the country who risked their own health to make certain every vote was counted, even during the unprecedented (yes, I used “unprecedented” twice in one blog post—welcome to 2020) challenges of COVID. I’m especially thankful to people like Lynn Bailey—mother to our own Paul Bailey—who conducted the hard work of recounting votes in Richmond County, Georgia under the bright lights of the nation’s scrutiny. Democracy isn’t always easy, but it works because of people like her.
The famous Lynn Bailey, champion of democracy
I’m thankful for those who chose careers in science and healthcare. The fact that we are now reviewing positive trial results for three COVID vaccines is unfathomable. The fact-based approach to understanding, treating and preventing this disease has been criticized and challenged. The successes we are now seeing vindicate the scientific method and those who use it.
I’m thankful for all the employees at More Vang who’ve moved their offices into their homes, or who’ve been going into the office daily with their masks on. Surviving this disruption would have been impossible without our resilient staff. I am in their debt.
And finally, I’m thankful for you. Beyond letting me rant and interact with you through these emails, I know our collective products, services and talents are only valuable if you believe in us as much as we believe in you. Thank you for your continued support and Happy Thanksgiving.