Thanksgiving is such a great holiday. In our family, it brings memories of sweet traditions. I love the Macy’s Parade, cooking, and family. It is nice that there are no presents and that the day is about being around others. My heart is broken for those suffering or not near their families, prayers for you friends.
As years pass, I realize thankfully, how this world is a lot less about me. Not that I have obtained anything here, but just the recognition of how much I still must learn. Interesting enough, although I married into my last name, I love the definition of “a Tittle”; a very small part. What a great little reminder for myself.
In this month of November, most of us stop to reflect on The First Thanksgiving, giving thanks for all that brings joy. It is interesting, most of what we are all thankful for, has nothing to do with us as individuals. Many of us are thankful for our parents and for our children. Our jobs, our home, the sunshine, nice weather. Often, we are thankful for the ocean, the mountains, or the cars that we drive.
For myself, this is a beautiful acknowledgment. My personality leans towards wanting to control and personally affect all those things. Thinking for a moment, by my efforts, I can pat myself on the back for a job well done. Constantly, working to make things better. In actuality, although we have choices and skills and decisions to make, so much of the outcomes of those intentions are dependent upon others, circumstance and providence.
I want to take a moment to ask forgiveness for trying so hard to make everything perfect for all those around me and failing to recognize more frequently that it is not my efforts but those of others that bring me the most joy and truly make me feel successful.
In 2004, I had a dream to do something I was passionate about and that would enable me to make a difference. I felt strongly about helping people not only after their injuries, but in a way, that would educate them and empower them to prevent injuries and be their best self.
Without a growing army of friends and even strangers who have come alongside me, S2S would not have thrived or ever become a job, a place, a gift.
SO, thank you to my husband, who believes in me, who encourages me, who always tells me Yes and who is always by my side.
Thank you to my parents, for raising me to be kind, to work hard, to be proud of my efforts to give thanks, to be a good sister, for loving me unconditionally.
Thank you to God for placing me in this world, at this time in history, in this place and for giving me my parents. For everything.
Thank you to those at the Bartonville Town Center, who heard a young lady’s dream and said yes to her crazy proposal.
Thank you to Veronica, for being my first employee- of which I have now had over 75.
Thank you to ALL those 75…they have believed in a vision, worked so hard and helped so many people.
For Christi, who gives her heart and soul to help others and make them feel special- Elise, JG, Alexa, Mackenzie, Lauren, Jared and all the others who deal with me, and help me as we strive to serve and grow to make our community a better place.
Thank you to the hundreds and hundreds of patient’s and clients that have shared their lives that have told us thank you, that have cried and smiled as they show us a life restored. Because other trust and suffer, we have been successful. Because of you, we all have jobs-
Oh that the S2S transformation has had really only ‘ a small part” to do with me. SO much of our pathway has nothing to do with our choices. Science proves what faith has told us all along- our reactions , our being, our talents and physique are the way they are not because of anything we did. We do have choices however- how do we use those reactions, our being, our talents and our physique. I pray that we can be humble in remembering that our foundation has nothing to do with us as we strive toward developing our life story as one that becomes a part of something bigger than ourselves.
This is why at S2S, we want to assist and encourage you to Reach Beyond Your Goals! We encourage YOU to be the BEST YOU that YOU can be!
I find joy and work to measure success in seeing others find joy in themselves and for REACHING BEYOND THEIR GOALS. Thank you for all of you who continue to allow the opportunity to do our jobs. We love you and our promise it to work hard to make good choices and continue to reach as many people as we can!
At S2S, it isn’t about us, we are just a small part.