As we enter the season of generosity and gratitude, we have made it a tradition in our offices to take a moment and share with our team the things for which each of us are grateful. This season, amidst a year of challenges unlike any we have ever experienced, we wanted to take a moment to share some of these reasons for gratitude with our community.
In 2020, the Murdock Trust family is grateful for ….
- All the essential workers, from first responders to grocery store workers, gas station operators, restaurateurs, farmers, truckers, and others, for their sacrifices so our daily needs are met.
- Amazing medical care and effective cancer treatment.
- Family, colleagues, friends, and God for love and support.
- 14 seasons of Seinfeld reruns…My personal “escape hatch” from 2020.
- The incredible scientists and medical professionals who are developing COVID-19 treatments and vaccines.
- Taylor Swift’s new album.
- A beautiful wife and daughter.
- The myriad ways nonprofits serve people on the margins of our society.
- Yoga pants!
- The birth of three granddaughters in the span of four months. Words can’t describe how thankful we are.
- Time spent with my family.
- Periodic sunshine and blue (instead of grey) skies.
- Technology that allows us to connect on some level.
- A new puppy who has helped keep quarantine life very interesting.
- Zoom game nights.
- Hope: hope in God, hope in humanity caring for those in need, and hope in science that is used to rapidly develop vaccines.
- Facetime.
- My black cats that snuggle, purr, and help me feel that all is well.
- Moving to Portland and starting with the Murdock team.
- So many stories and examples of humanity’s best of people giving of themselves and serving others at a time where we often see/hear about so much hate and self-serving conflict.
- To have someone I love and am happy to be around 24/7 to go through this pandemic with. I feel so thankful!
- Many miles of walking and talking with a dear friend as we trekked through this pandemic period together.
But most of all, we are grateful and thankful for the countless nonprofits and individuals who serve our community tirelessly every day. In a year like no other, their commitment to the common good has been a bright beacon of light and hope to us all. We honor their service and we are encouraged and inspired by their spirit.
From all of us at the Murdock Trust, we wish you and yours a joyous holiday season!
