This morning as I finish my study the feeling of gratitude is overwhelming in my heart and mind. I’m truly the luckiest and most blessed person on earth. As I sit here typing this message I am overwhelmed with the remembrance of so many blessings in my life. I wish to use this time to give thanks for some of the many blessings. I pray this will help you see what you have in your life to be thankful for and you can feel the eternal love I do right now.
First, I am blessed with a loving eternal companion in my beautiful wife Desiree. We met in the January of 2000 after returning to College Station from my mission in Washington state. I knew the first time she gave me eye contact that she was the one. I am blessed and thankful for her unconditional love of me as a man with many imperfections. She stands with me and supports me without complaint in my many adventures. She listens to me and takes better care of me than I deserve. She is a wonderful mother to our four boys and works endlessly for their success. I pray they will learn from her how to take responsibility for life and own the results. I am truly blessed to have her love and support in my life.
I am blessed with four wonderful, unique boys that enjoy being with family. It is so important to me that they enjoy sitting around the table talking of our time together and listening to stories about each other. What a blessing to have boys that fight like brothers but pick each other up if anyone else tries to knock one of them down. They may not want anyone to know it but they love each other and care deeply for the success of their brothers. As they prepare for missions and temple marriage it is a blessing to see them prioritize these events. Heaven knows I have not been the best example but they have chosen to follow Heavenly Father because they can feel His love.
Many people spend a lifetime working day to day and never finding their true place in life. I have been blessed to find not only a career that allows me to take care of my family but a place that accepts me for who I am. Corporate America was never a fit for me because I challenge convention and do not simply accept things as they are and have always been. I am blessed to work with a group of true leaders that encourage us to be great. They understand mistakes are the path to growth and that there may be a better way to do things. At the very least they understand that what works for one may not work for everyone. This is a great blessing in my life for I have learned the process they have created for success and can use those principles to guide decisions in my building that have the greatest impact. Never could I have imagined that not only could I have such a wonderful work environment but that is would be in an industry taking care of people that can no longer fully take care of themselves. This is truly amazing to find a company that is both the greatest opportunity for my development and family but also is built around care for others.
I do not mean to brag but I am surrounded by some of the greatest people the world has ever known. They say you are a reflection of those that you spend the most time with and if that is true I have one awesome reflection. I have a team at my building that pushes me to be better because they are growing every day. We had a Christmas party last night and to see so many of them in the room that have blessed my life so abundantly. I cannot write a 1000th part of what they have done for me. They trust me and allow me to make mistakes. They accept me unconditionally and have taken the lead in their areas of the business to ensure the success of us all. I go to meetings with other administrators and see the struggles and trials they face. I am not sure why I am so blessed but my team achieves their goals while carrying me at times dragging me along. I sit in amazement and cheer them on because they are all owners and live our values to the point that they create the happiest place on earth to work. How I was chosen to be on this team is still a wonder, but I am thankful it was me to receive this blessing.
The support staff, we call them resources, in my area and in Texas are simply amazing. It is such a blessing to have so many caring experts a phone call away to help us find such great success. I do not need to worry because as we go through the day to day we have the support of loving people with incredible work ethics to make it happen. From clinical and MDS support to therapy and business office we have someone with not only the knowledge but the character to ensure our success. These wonderful people serve without ego and without needing to be held up for what they do in each area. They work with others to ensure the success of all. When you look in the history of successful people the ones that are remembered for greatness had huge supportive teams. Between my team at work and the resources in our market I cannot fail. It may take several attempts to figure out the best path but we will find success.
I will end with the gratitude of a supportive extended family and for the knowledge I have of my Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ. I could write for hours on this list of gratitude and wish I could write all things that I am grateful for in life. Thankfully I have an eternity to thank those that have blessed me and helped me to realize just how incredibly lucky I am.