Thanksgiving is here again! This is the time of the year when most stop and give thanks for what they’re grateful for. This year, I’m grateful for strength. Life through me a few curves balls last year. Some left me shaky and knocked me off my feet, but I managed to get back up, shake myself off, and make it another day. There’s nothing better than strength and I’m so thankful I’ve been granted it. Check out what my coworkers Nathan, Dawn, and Amber are grateful for this year. – Shari
Nathan- Fitrst this year, I’m thankful for all the ways I’ve seen individuals and communities step up to help those in need. My family and I have gone through a lot of transitions this past year (moving to Dayton, yay!), and we are incredibly grateful for all the people who encouraged and supported us along the way. Secondly, as I began working with GESMV’s donors and community partners, I’ve become thankful and amazed to see people’s willingness to sacrifice for the sake of others. Lastly, I’m incredibly grateful for family, new community, and that we had a new baby daughter enter our life this year!
Dawn- I will always be thankful for my children, my family, and for each new day the Lord blesses me with. 2025 has been more difficult than past years, and that’s okay, because I know I am doing things that will lead to more personal growth.
With healthy boundaries as a priority, I’m especially grateful for the opportunity to begin a new level of therapy called EMDR – Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing. Although it has been emotionally draining, it has truly been a blessing. Through this process, I have been blessed to be able to let past trauma go and continue to heal. As a result, I am better equipped to help others that have lived experiences similar to mine.
Amber- I am thankful for so many things: friends, family and love. But today I want to share that I’m so thankful for music.
For me, music is more than entertainment. It is a universal language, and the ultimate creative expression of who I am, personally. I know of no other element that unifies people of every background and experience more profoundly. In crowds at concerts, in holy congregations, at gravesides, sporting events, or recording sessions, a special connection happens when we experience music together.
I recently learned that listening to music activates multiple brain areas simultaneously, including those for auditory processing, emotion, and memory formation and retrieval. I absolutely believe this to be true. The soundtrack of my life so far has been broad and expands with every new memory I make. Here are some songs that transport me instantly to special moments:
- “America the Beautiful” by Ray Charles. This song puts me in the backyard watching fireworks and smelling burgers on the grill for Independence Day.
- “Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas” by Judy Garland. This is the first song I heard after my daughter was born.
- “Too Fat Polka” by Frankie Yankovic. Hardly a sensitive song, but one my Greek Grandpapa danced to hilariously as a polka aficionado. I can see him when I hear it.
- “Girls Night Out” by The Judds. When I hear this, I’m wearing Mom’s oversized sunglasses, blaring out the lyrics from a booster seat in the backseat on a summer day.
I bet you have songs that mark moments for you, too. I encourage you to make a playlist over the holidays and let it transport you to a special time or place. Like a classical arrangement, life has many “movements”. May you weather the one you’re in with grace and gratitude this Thanksgiving season.
As you can see Nathan, Dawn, Amber and I have a lot to be thankful for. May you stop and take out time to give thanks this Thanksgiving too.
Happy Thanksgiving!