Well, another Thanksgiving in the books.

This one had extra special meaning for me.

It marks the second year in our new home and new town. It’s been a year very much in transition, both professionally and, in many ways, personally.

I can honestly not think of a year where I thought more about my mortality than this one. ‘Seeing my children continue to grow and mature, watching what they do and how they think about things. And how we influence those behaviors, good and bad.

I’ve thought a lot about how different my life has turned out than what I had expected.

I can’t help thinking about warzones around the world and how lucky we are to live where we do every day. Even with the sad things that have transpired here in our country, we still are the best game in town!

So, as we finish up 2023 and start to think about 2024, I would be remiss not to recognize all those who are away from their families this year. And those family members who were here last year, but not this one.

I feel that this reflection – and choosing a positive path – is the only way to happiness and prosperity.

I encourage you to take the time before the end of the year to appreciate that and to tell someone how much you appreciate them.

In high school, I had a science teacher, Terry Pardee. He was one of those people. He was positive all the time. Perhaps that’s why I remember him now at age 46.

I had just moved to a town outside of Los Angeles my sophomore year of high school and knew no one. It was a place that was not as welcoming initially, different from where I grew up and spent the majority of my life. I didn’t have many reasons to be happy then, and not many people told me that they appreciated or thought much of me at that time in my life.

Then, one day after class, Terry said to me, “Do you know how special and unique you are?”

I was really taken aback by this. Stunned, even. I was not the best student – C average at best. I was not the best athlete and certainly was not the best looking, but here is this person telling ME that I was special.

That one conversation at age 15 changed what I thought of myself, not only that day but perhaps always.

Think about who in your life could really use that right now. Or could you?

Look, it’s not what you say or do for yourself that makes the man (or woman). It’s what you say and do for others that makes the world a better place.

Happy Thanksgiving.

-J.D.