Thanksgiving — a time for thanks, a time to give

It is Thanksgiving week, and as I’ve mentioned before, it is my favorite time of the year. I think most of you would agree, as 2008 has evolved, it has turned out to be one tough year! I wonder how it would compare to the challenges faced by our forefathers in 1621 as they began to shape our country.

It has been nearly four centuries since the Pilgrims survived their first winter at Plymouth. As it is told, that first winter was brutal—nothing like anything they had ever experienced before. But they prevailed. With the resiliency that Americans have demonstrated time and time again, our forefathers fought through the tough times and celebrated with a feast to give thanks.

Too often, we mistake Thanksgiving to be about that fall feast. But it’s not. The true importance of the Thanksgiving holiday is that it’s a time to gather with family and friends and take a moment to be thankful for the things we have, rather than the things we wish we had. It is a necessary “time out” from the daily grind, because let’s face it, sometimes as Americans, we take things for granted. It is a day for us to reflect not on the perfect life we envisioned for ourselves, but rather to be thankful for the life we are living.

The first National Day of Thanksgiving was proclaimed by President George Washington in 1789, but the tradition slowly began to wane over the years. Abraham Lincoln revived the holiday during the Civil War. Since that time, Americans all over this great land have paused to express thanks for the quality of life we enjoy and the opportunity to spend time with family and friends.

Here’s the thing about Thanksgiving, it is the gateway to the holiday season. In so many wonderful ways, we come together at this time to cherish what unites us. It is a time when we should give thanks to our fellow Americans who donate their personal time to make a difference in the lives of others through organizations such as the United Way and Toys for Tots.

It is also the time we begin to hear that steadily ringing bell of the Salvation Army, a gentle reminder of the need to help those who are less fortunate than us. This year, there will be many less fortunate than us. So when you hear that bell, take a moment to reflect and give thanks for what you have; and if there is any way you can share even a small amount, now is the time.

As we sit down to our Thanksgiving Day meal, we must remember that not everyone will be with their family and loved ones this Thanksgiving. We have the men and women of our armed services, who have given up their holidays and time with their families to make sure we can safely be with ours.

Finally, we also have our health care professionals – from those who will work eight or twelve hour shifts this Thanksgiving to the many that are on travel assignments hundreds of miles from home on Thanksgiving Day. These are the people who keep us all employed and make personal sacrifices so that we can rest easy that our loved ones are being well cared for.

As I sit and write this message, I would be remiss if I did not take a moment and express my sincere thanks for each of you, and your families for their support of your efforts. Supplemental Health Care thrives because we have the best people, with a common set of values, working to make a difference in people’s lives. While we have hit some tough times of late, I have no doubt that we will overcome these challenges by pulling together as a team, just as our forefathers did to overcome that first brutal winter.

As 2008 comes to a close, I am cautiously optimistic about what the future holds for our company. History tells us that challenging times are opportunistic times as well. Let’s give thanks for what we have and use this time to unite around our strengths to be the best Supplemental Health Care we can be.

Thank you for taking the time to read my message and for being a part of this very special company.

Happy Thanksgiving!