I know it is past Thanksgiving, but I felt a need to give Thanks for the ups and downs of the past year as it comes to a close. Please join in and tell your story.
I have not been overly active on the board in the last couple years. 2 years ago, I moved my family from Cleveland, OH to Charleston, SC. Needless to say, it was a huge decision to uproot us and move away from my family. There were times where I asked myself, “What did I do to us?”. With a new job, new home, and different routines, I really did not do much on the board.
So one of the first things I am thankful for is Brad (Vroomp). Brad graciously gave up his spot in the Wishlist PIF and gifted it to me. Brian(bstessl) floored me with his selections. And while I am immensely grateful for the cigars. I think I am more grateful for connecting again with Cigar Geeks. I do not post often, but now, I am checking the site most, if not every, mornings and keeping tabs.
My year started off with trepidation, and is ending with jubilation. I started a new role at the Hospital and had a large and stressful learning curve. But I am thankful for an understanding boss, who gave me leeway to learn. In the end, I received a high mark for my Annual Review. I redesigned the server layout for our reporting system and had 200% gains in performance. I have been learning new things and taking on more responsibilities.
We lost family members this year, but I am grateful that they are now with the loved ones they so desperately missed. We found out that my uncle has Stage 4 Pancreatic Cancer. But I am grateful for the time we got to spend upon his visit. And I am grateful that the cancer growth rate has slowed greatly and we may have more time with him. I am grateful for the way he is approaching his treatment which is geared more towards a quality of life than a quantity. I have always looked up to him and he only gives me more reason to by the way he is handling this.
My wife has struggled since moving down here. The salary rate for her work is about half of what she would earn in Cleveland. And the job opportunities are just not there. She is currently with her 4th company since moving here, and this one looks to be the job she has been looking for all of her life. The company adores her, promoted her to an executive level, QUICKLY, and she is now making close to 3 times what she was early in the year. She also receives a very generous bonus structure. The money is great, but honestly, the best thing about all of this is that she is really hitting her stride and absolutely LOVES the work. And it is a lot of work. She loves the company, the people she works with, and the work that they do.
We got to take a wonderful 10th Anniversary trip. Next year we are planning something big for next Christmas. Yes, we had a slow start to this year, but we have a huge head of steam leading into 2018. And I am very grateful and thankful for it all.