Thanksgiving has always been one of my very favorite holidays. I like the family time where we all sit around making suggestions about what we should do together. Usually nothing actually happens — it’s so predictable that it is fun! I love the aromas and I am especially delighted when I smell apples and cinnamon baking together, wafting through the house. It blankets me in peace and sugar.

When I first heard the word “Friendsgiving” I thought, “This is in addition to, not in lieu of Thanksgiving, right?” Now that we have started inviting friends in addition to family to our Thanksgiving, I am a delighted enthusiast of Friendsgiving.  

I have come to realize the blessing of those wonderful friends! It was even easier to embrace Friendsgiving when I realized how these friends have become a tapestry of our entire family’s lives. Oh how I love those adopted young adults that have brought joy to our nuclear family!

And if there’s going to be Thanksgiving with family, and Friendsgiving with friends, I would like to propose Worksgiving. For Worksgiving, my list of gratitudes is as long as the other two categories. Here goes…

I am thankful for fulfilling work that helps people improve their work lives and often transcends into their personal lives. If you are receiving this, you have touched my life and I want to hear from you again.

To the clients who have hired me or are planning on hiring me, I am oh, so grateful. Without you, there would be no Concordia! And where would I get the money to buy the turkey, the apples, and the cinnamon? Thank you for your trust. And thank you for the referrals; they are my life boat and they mean the world to me!

I am thankful to work with the most creative, caring, giving, and flexible people on the planet! Thank you to Keri, Mary, Pam, and Sylvia.

I am so, so grateful to the NSA-DC as well as my NSA national friends. You text, message, call, and email so often with support, encouragement, and laughter. You are an extroverted and loquacious group that challenges me to try new things and dip my toe in new processes.

Please make your own gratitude list and pass it on. Thanksgiving, Friendsgiving, and Worksgiving — all wonderful excuses to express appreciation.

Let me hear from you as you tell me what you appreciate, and please pass the apples and cinnamon.