What Are You Thankful For?

Thanksgiving is a very special time of year. Families and friends come together to give thanks and share in each other’s company. And the day calls for football, turkey and dressing, and a warm slice of pumpkin pie topped with a generous dollop of whipped cream, as you share memories and moments of the past year.

As we thought about our upcoming November Newsletter, we asked ourselves what message, what thought, do we want to share with our readers that will add meaning and purpose to our article on this special holiday? One of the team suggested, “I think we should focus on What... Are You Thankful For?” We all thought about for a moment and...agreed. So, we reached out to everyone on Maycreate’s team for their answers.

Mary:

I’m very thankful for my relationship with my family and friends. I have a small circle, but I keep them pretty tight. Despite being halfway around the planet from them, we’ve maintained a great deal of love and respect for each other. Every time I come home it’s nothing but pure laughter and bliss. I always lose my voice from laughing so hard. Even with our differences in views, I don’t let it get in the way of caring for each other. At the end of the day, we’re all imperfect creatures and we should always respect what makes us unique. 

Chris:

I am thankful for the ability to live life. I’m also grateful for God’s green earth and the opportunity to walk it, to see the beauty, and to explore it. I love being able to see new landscapes, go on adventures with friends, and to have the health to do so. One of the best things in life is seeing the wonders and beauty this world offers through the lens of adventure. I’m thankful for all the wild, crazy, and beautiful places there are in this world, and that we have the ability to explore them. And to do so with friends and family is simplyicing on the cake.

John:

I’m thankful for our clients who focus on delivering “true good” to their customers and communities. From banks that reinvest locally to grow businesses that create jobs; to loans for architects and builders who help families achieve their dreams for a new home;to the city’s airport which connects passengers and business through fast and convenient non-stop air travel; as well as a company that engineers products to make transportation infrastructure safer and more sustainable. And to all the others who add value and purpose to our world, I’m thankful for the work they do to better our lives.

Ian:

I am thankful for the time I have with loved ones who are older and have the wisdom and the time left to share it with me. I’m also thankful for the new life I get to help develop and guide me through this journey. I am grateful I still have plenty of time to transform and grow. I am also grateful for the ability to provide for those I love, and to accept the provisions of those who love me. I look forward to the mornings and evenings I have towatch the sun rise and set each day. I also appreciate that there are still surprises left to uncover.

Amelia:

I'm thankful for my family and for the love and support they've given me. They have encouraged me through the years to go after my goals, and they’ve always made sure thatI know I won't go through life alone. It’s also reassuring to know that my mom has been a person I can lean on and talk to when life feels challenging and difficult. Even though we don't live in the same city anymore, they make it known how much they love me.

Daniel:

I’m very thankful for my family and the friends that I’ve come to know over the years. They have always been by my side no matter the circumstance, and they’ve always been so willing to sacrifice their time and efforts to whoever needs help. I’ve truly been inspired by their generosity and thoughtfulness towards those less fortunate. They never let excuses get in the way of doing something for others. I will forever be changed by their kindness and charity, which leaves a great sense of hope in me.

Beau:

This may seem like a generic answer, but it’s the truth!

I’m so thankful for friends and family. Even though you may not see them all the time, it’s so nice to be able to get together on the holidays. It’s a very special moment to see everyone and catch up on all that’s happened in the months and days that have just passed. Bonus points for the ones you haven’t seen in a long time. But that moment when you all get together, it’s like you had spent no time apart at all.

Abigail:

Every Thanksgiving, I’ve always spent the holiday with my large extended family in West Tennessee. However, for the past couple of years, my husband and I have both had jobs that kept us in Chattanooga. While this brought moments of longing to be with our family, it also gave us the opportunity to create new traditions together. Last year marked our first Thanksgiving in Chattanooga where we began the day at the Grateful Gobbler in Coolidge Park and ended the day with an entire Thanksgiving feast we had cooked together The day unfolded with peace and togetherness—all within the comfort of our home. I will always cherish the excitement and connection that comes with being surrounded by extended family each season. But spending quiet, quality time with my spouse in Chattanooga has become a new cherished tradition I am so thankful for.

Brian:

I’m thankful for several long-term relationships that mean the world to me. I have to beginwith my sweet Erin. For 23 years, we spent almost every waking minute together. No one will ever replace her. Of course, my parents are on the list. I wouldn’t be who I am today without them. And I can’t make that list without Monty, our fearless senior ad guy, and now entering 17 years of working together. And I might add, I’ll never forget surprising my father with a trip he totally wasn’t expecting, and thought would never happen. I’m also thankful for my relationship with one of my three best friends. He’s a pastor, so our regular lunch discussions are some of my favorites. Rarely do I feel like I’m a better person after having lunch. I feel that way every time he and I get together.

Morgen:

I am grateful to know what I am being called to in this season of life. I am also grateful to have this unique opportunity to make a difference with people who sincerely care about each other, especially our clients, and the work we create and produce for them. I am thankful for abundant grace when I make mistakes, and redemption, should I encounterfailure. I’m thankful for the joy of laughter, the earth’s natural beauty, and those unexpected moments I learn something new. I am grateful for all that God has done in my life, both the good stuff and the hard stuff. I am thankful to know Him, and to know I am never alone.

Monty:

I am thankful for the individuals I work with. Each one is unique, and each has a caring heart. They are there for you in times of joy and stand by you in times of disappointment. And I appreciate each one for his or her inspiring spirits and sense of humor and grace. I’m also very thankful for my family, those who are with me and those who will always have place in my heart. Each made me who I am today, and I thank each one of them for the sense of character they instilled in me.

In Closing…

From all of us, we wish each of you and your families a very Happy Thanksgiving. And this year why not take a little time to think about what you’re thankful for. Thanksgiving comes but once a year, being thankful is something that can be celebrated year-round.