Hold the turkey, Thanksgiving is only a few days away, where has this year gone? I can hardly believe that the holiday season is already upon us; doesn’t it seem like it should still be summer? Perhaps that is a little bit of wishful thinking on my part since the summer in the Northwest this year was pretty short-lived, but nonetheless, the holidays are here.
No matter what your traditions are, where you are in the world or who you are with this Thursday, the American holiday, Thanksgiving is a perfect opportunity for us to take a few moments and reflect on the things that we are thankful for.
This holiday season will be bittersweet here at Real Pro Systems. This year has been a tough one for us on a personal level with the loss of Kristi Healy and with Kim Light’s accident. There is no sugar coating how hard that was, and is on all of us. It is however, the moments that no one saw, the silent efforts, the tears shared, the sense of family and the genuine compassion for which we are grateful. I speak for all of us at Real Pro Systems when I say we are fortunate to work for a company that is truly amazing.
As a company we have been very fortunate this year in many, many ways. This year has brought us continued growth, through new talent and brand new product offerings. The outpouring of support from our clients throughout the last couple of months was a reminder of what we already knew: we truly have the best clients in the industry! We are beyond grateful for each and every person we are privileged to work for, knowing full well we would not be the company we are today, without you.
Here are few thoughts from the team at Real Pro Systems on what they are grateful this Thanksgiving season:
Donald Anderson, Client Care Representative: I am Thankful for getting the chance to work for Real Pro Systems and all the great people within the company who have all been welcoming and friendly throughout the time I have been here. I am also thankful for my wife, and for all the caring and love she gives me on a daily basis.
Mark B., Client Care Representative: I was laid off from Hynix when they moved over seas. The government then paid for two years of my schooling. After that I spent over six months searching for work. I am thankful for all the friends and family that helped me get through this transition, and just cheering me up. In this economy, where so many are unemployed I am very thankful to have a job with a good company.
Evangelina Sundgrenz, Client Care Representative: I am thankful for the spectacular colors that fall brings. I am thankful for the ability to commute to work by bike and the beautiful morning views that riding over the Willamette river afford me, such as steam rising or fog rolling atop the water. I am thankful for the happiness, love, and tranquility that my family, friends, and yoga practice give me.
Every day and every interaction is a blessing.
Jamin O’Brien, Sales Consultant: I am thankful for friends, family, and my wonderful fiancé. Also for working for a great company with a lot of talented people!
Dan VanOrdstrand, Audio/Video Specialist: I am thankful for my fiancé and getting married next year! Also for a great place to work and lots of awesome co-workers!
Tara Sybrant, Marketing Manager: It is easy to forget how lucky that I really am at times and I know that I take things for granted. I am blessed, and for that I am forever grateful. I have more family than you can possibly imagine, I have amazing friends that truly love and support me, I have two dogs who light up my life, but I also have my health, a terrific job, a roof over my head, food in my cupboards and so very much more. I would be remiss if I didn’t acknowledge my gratitude for the men and women that fight for our freedoms day in and day out.
Jonathon Broderick, Development: I am thankful for my wife and my beautiful daughter, and to work for a wonderful company.
Danni Leanos, Administrative Assistant: I am thankful for the marvelous blessings that God has bestowed upon me. A job that I look forward to going to everyday with some of the most wonderful individuals I have ever encountered. A loving supportive family, and most of all I am thankful for being able to fine “my joy” in life.
Joe Hall, Client Care Representative: I am thankful for my wife, Kathryn, our two cats, Chester & Bowser, and a new job.
Charlee Jacobs, Sr. Sales Consultant: Of course I’m thankful for the obvious things we talk about around this holiday like health, family and friends, but this year I am especially thankful for a myriad of things that I don’t think about and take for granted…all the things I didn’t know could and should be appreciated, like tying a shoe or even tasting and swallowing food. There are so many seemingly trivial things that I routinely perform daily, that only when I learn of someone else’s hardship or come across my own, do I realize how thankful I am and should always be.
Tricia McCarroll, Sales Consultant: I have so many blessings! I am thankful for two healthy babies and a wonderful husband, fantastic friends, and a supportive family network. Real Pro Systems tops my list too. I am so lucky to work for one of the best companies in the industry!
Daniel Burgess, Graphics: I am thankful for my family, our community, this beautiful time of year, and the way that every moment is a new chance to change.
Nick Randal, Development Manager: I am thankful for my baby boy.
Ryan McCarty, Developer: I am very thankful that in this economy for the people at Real Pro Systems who decided I was worth training and taking a chance on.
Mark Weisman, Training Manager: I am thankful for many things-a job, health, friends, but this year especially for my wife Kaitlin (we were married on September 4th).
Caine O’Brien, General Manager: Thanksgiving is my favorite holiday of the year. I often get caught up in the hectic day-to-day activities of business and personal life and forget to take the time to give thanks. When Thanksgiving comes, it reminds me of how many blessings I enjoy and the importance of an attitude of gratitude.
This past year has reminded me how blessed I am to be close with loving family members, including three “children” who are all prospering on their paths, and to be blessed with good health. I am thankful for the privilege of working at Real Pro Systems, surrounded by and supported by 35 dedicated, trustworthy and loving people who are like family. As the world goes through its challenges, we are so fortunate to have what we have, but more importantly, to have each other.
Julie Anderson, Marketing Communications Manager: I am thankful for kindness that trickles out in small doses over time, well-told jokes, and those environmentally friendly Presto log thingys that allow you to light a good fire using one match, without killing your parakeets. And of course, I’m thankful for landing a job at this amazing company a few months ago! I feel so lucky to come here everyday and hang out with wonderful people who are good at what they do, who help each other, and treat clients like friends.
Rob Wilkins, Client Care Representative: I am thankful that my children and grandchildren are happy and healthy, and that I am fortunate enough to still have my parents. I am thankful that my friends and family in the military have been safe to date and pray that they stay that way. I am also thankful for a roof over my head, and electricity on demand.
Joe Lininger, Co-Founder, and Director of Professional Development: I am thankful for the privilege of working with so many great people.
Amy Stoehr, Founder, and Director of Real Estate Masters Guild: I am thankful for so many things, it’s a challenge to be brief. I am ever grateful for my freedom and humbled by my faith, both of which I’m thankful for. This year in particular, the two things that I find myself most thankful for are my health and relationships. Dear friends lost this year due to insurmountable health issues bring my good health to the forefront. And without the amazing support I receive in the relationships I have with family, friends, and colleagues, challenges might be far more difficult to tackle. And for the opportunity to join forces with Real Pro Systems and grow a bright future for the real estate industry, I am hugely thankful.
Donna Napier, Accounting: I am so thankful to be surrounded by the love and support of my family and friends, especially my life-partner and best friend, Steve. I am happy to be working with a great group of people who believe in teamwork and cooperation and who enjoy celebrating each others’ successes. I am also grateful for the opportunities to spend time with my aging parents, reflecting back over the years, recalling both the fun and the challenges that we have shared together.
Gary Ulmer, Graphics: I am thankful for: My very loving, considerate and compassionate wife. My five beautiful wondrous children. My Job.
What are YOU thankful for?
