Thanksgiving 2020 has arrived, and I’m so glad for the break. I’m sure you are too. What a crazy year! And amazing as it seems, it felt like it went by faster than ever.
Let the holiday season begin by telling the people in your life how thankful you are for their presence in your life. And I’m thankful I have a platform like this blog to say so in public!
Who knew when I took this photo back in January 2020 what the year would bring? But we made it – Happy Thanksgiving 2020! Photo: Jim Mumford
I’m thankful for:
I’m starting with my work family. Honestly, I spend a lot more time with them than anyone else, other than myself. I’ll begin with established rock star Erin, our Office Manager. We added two up-and-coming stars in Joe and Dan, leading our operations and sales teams respectively.
Rachel stepped up into a larger role in project management and lead designer.
Our horticultural technician crew of Joel, Sophie, Celso, Scott, and Lisa earned well deserved praise from our clients on Google. You might want to read those reviews.
Our work family – we couldn’t do it without ALL of you!
Behind the scenes but just as important: our buyer and warehouse manager Cassidy, and office assistant Shayla, are learning and grooving every day. The culture we have all created makes work fun and worthwhile. We enrich peoples’ lives with plants!
I’d be wrong if I didn’t include PR Pro Gayle in my work family. She is so good she writes better as me than I can write for myself (I wrote this in case you are wondering). EDITOR’S NOTE: Gayle here, and yes, I vouch for Jim writing ALL of this. Correcting some minor grammar doesn’t count. My favorite blog post of the year 🙂
Thankful for my family and the wonderful trip to Austria in 2019. We didn’t truly appreciate then what a gift it was to spend time together like we do now. Next year!
My real family. Mom, who just completed leading a virtual conference, and Aunt Kathy, who both live close by in Carlsbad.
Dad, still fighting the battles of aging but 3,000 miles away outside Washington DC.
My son Ted, who just took the California Bar Exam (good luck), and favorite daughter, Allie, who is excelling in the fine dining restaurant business.
Sister Monica and her husband, Scott. As much as I’ve been bugging them not to work so hard, they might reach retirement before me. What’s next? When we can travel again, they want to rent villas in Italy and Argentina for months at a time. With enough room for visitors. Great idea!
The rest of my family, including Karen, Cade, Katie, and Sam. Aunts Nancy, Shirley, and Mardi, Uncle Rick, and all my cousins. All East Coast dwellers, I don’t get to see them often enough.
All of my friends, too numerous to mention, who tolerate my sense of humor and passionate outbursts.
A few of my treasured colleagues in the plant industry – thank you to each and every person who makes my work so much better!
Everyone at Fix Body Group – chiropractors Shawn and Patrick, their trainer Chelsea, plus therapeutic masseur Andre. Through them, I have learned the lesson of – STRETCHING!
My doc Ned, Dr. Saleh, Mel, Julie, Devi, Ali and the rest of the staff. They don’t treat me like a patient – until that is what I need, then they take excellent care of me.
Julia, truly part of my family – I get to help make tamales this year! First time ever!
My “keeps me out of trouble” team of insurance guy Jeff, attorney Harvey Berger, accountant and bookkeeper Burt, and IT master Chris.
My “new venture” business partner, Rodger, and our exciting new projects that I’m almost ready to announce.
All of Good Earth Plant Company’s clients, vendors, and colleagues. We could not be successful without you, especially this year.
All of the people in the plant, art, design, architecture, and “nature” world, and the numerous organizations I belong to. I miss them all in these Days of Covid.
My health, pretty good for 63.
Sheltering in place where there is plenty to see in my own backyard. Photo: Jim Mumford
My appreciation and good fortune to enjoy and make a career of beauty, art and nature.
I miss traveling so much it almost hurts. But I’m lucky to have a big yard to work in, a nice home to fix up, and a fast car to cut you off.
Living in San Diego. Expensive yes, but paradise no less.
YOU – for reading this far, and coming along with me on this journey. Everything positive I do for the planet, I do for you, our children, and their grandchildren.
Happy Thanksgiving, everyone. What are YOU thankful for?
Please tell us in the comment or get a conversation going on our social media pages.
