What We’re Thankful For

The Forefront team shares what they are grateful for this thanksgiving.

“Make it a habit to tell people thank you. To express your appreciation, sincerely and without the expectation of anything in return. Truly appreciate those around you, and you’ll soon find many others around you. Truly appreciate life, and you’ll find that you have more of it.” Ralph Marston

It is hard to believe that Thanksgiving is here again. What a great time to sit down and reflect on what we are truly grateful for this year. As a staff, we have compiled some reasons for why we are thankful. As you enjoy turkey, stuffing, and pumpkin pie today, reflect on why you are thankful this year and feel free to share with us as well.

Anthony D’Amico, CMO and Co-Founder: This year I am thankful for making mistakes. Everyone makes mistakes, and even though mistakes may come with unfavorable consequences, they provide you with valuable learning opportunities that you can make reference to and reflect on throughout your career.

Gerald Mathews, Director of Editorial Development: I am thankful for all of the great friends and family that I have who have been supportive of me and everything that I do. I am especially thankful for my wonderful wife, who has stood by me during every decision I have made. She has also served as my voice of reason to make me consider all options and to make sure I am making the best decisions.

Samantha Adler, Editorial Developer: This year, I am thankful for more than ever. I am thankful for having such a great year post-grad and deciding to move to Chicago after months of confusion. From my new apartment to my new job to my new friends, I love everything about Chicago and am thankful everyday that I came here. I can’t imagine working at a better place with better people, and for this, I feel so lucky.  Lastly, I am thankful for LeBron James coming back to the Cleveland Cavaliers! I know next year will be even better and cannot wait to see what is in store.

Kate Bauer, Creative Director: This Thanksgiving, I am thankful that I get to work with awesome people on interesting projects that continually challenge and inspire me. I am also thankful for my new apartment, and most importantly, the dishwasher that resides inside my new apartment. I’m also thankful for my furry co-pilot, Tommy Lee Jones the cat, who pulled through this year after some major health problems. Additional shout outs to: snacks, coffee in any shape or form, and the general public for embracing Chris Pratt as a Marvel hero.

Debi Nafis, Deputy Creative Director: I’m always grateful for the continuing health and happiness of my family/friends/boyfriend/cat who doesn’t know any better. This year, I’m especially thankful for challenging new projects and the opportunity to travel and see so many of the aforementioned friends and family. Thanks also go to my premium cable channels and Wolford tights for getting me through the impending winter doom.

Jaclyn Crawford, Assignment Editor: This year, I’m thankful for family, friends who feel like family and a wonderful group of co-workers that are joy to see every day. Things go away. But the people around you make the bad days better and the good days even more worth it. I’m thankful for my husband, who is my daily source of laughter and support, and that he’s in good health. Also, I am thankful for pizza.

Grant Casleton, Administration: This Thanksgiving, I am thankful for hockey season. Baseball season seems to drag on, but luckily game seven is this week and it’s finally over. The Chicago Bears aren’t doing well this year, and I’m glad the Blackhawks are there to fill that void of sports I need in my life. So thank you, Blackhawks, for being in my life, and hopefully you can win another Cup this year! GO Hawks!

Siqi Liu, Editorial Intern: This year, I’m thankful for the new friends I’ve made through work and school. I’m thankful for (almost) finishing my college apps and how supportive my parents have been throughout this whole process. I’m thankful for my grandparents’ health. And as always, I’m thankful for the season because it means pumpkin spice latte and scarf weather and scrumptious holiday party food.

Tamer Abouras, Writer: In a year where I said goodbye to my ailing grandma and plunged headlong into the uncertain world of post-grad life, I am overwhelmingly thankful for all of the people in my life, on a personal and professional level. Professionally, I’m thankful for the friendships that led me to dream jobs writing for Forefront and Advance Healthcare Network, and for the wonderful people I’ve had the privilege of working with; personally, I’m grateful for the family and friends I’ve been blessed with and for the church I call home. Although I may not ever know what the future holds, this year has made it clearer than ever before that I do know who holds it. I thank God for the life I’ve been given, for those who help to make every single day of it special, and for all the opportunities and adventures the upcoming year will undoubtedly hold.

Phoenix Ash, Writer: I’m thankful for hope. To be able to reach, stretch, push for the pursuit of what’s hoped for sustains me. Hope makes me believe that better is possible and that I may be one to reach it.

Aine Cryts, Writer: There’s so much to be grateful for at this time of the year– heck, throughout the year! I’m incredibly lucky to be surrounded by great family and friends, not to mention an adorable (though quite large) St. Bernard and two hilarious cats. I’m also grateful for achieving a personal goal of running my fastest half-marathon this year! Finally, I’m very grateful to have meaningful work and volunteer activities that continue to remind me to be curious, prioritize what’s important, work hard and give back

Amy Fisher, Writer: I am thankful for my family. I feel very lucky that my siblings are my best friends, and that every time my parents come to town, it never seems like a long enough visit. I’m so lucky to have a big extended family too, and I’m very thankful for my close relationships with all of them.

Sunny Gonzalez, Writer: This year, I’m most thankful that my newly blended family has become comfortable with our constantly changing dynamics. I’m also thankful to live in paradise (props to the Florida Keys) – with the man I love – doing the work I love. I’m thankful for my fitness, my extended family, and my location-independent business. I’m thankful for the mini-vacays and many events I’ve attended, for meeting a smattering of incredible executives, and for still having the fire within to make the most of each day. Oh, and coffee and margaritas. Major thanks for those liquid Godsends.

Fred Jerant, Writer: In 2014, I’m thankful for exactly the same thing that I’ve been thankful for since 2003. That was the year one of my sisters graciously donated a kidney to me. Mine had been ravaged by diabetes, and I would have faced a lifetime on dialysis without it. And it’s likely that my lifetime itself would have been shortened tremendously. Eleven years later, both of us are still going strong, and leading busy, productive lives. Some people are thankful for material goods; I’m thankful just to be here.

Jill Yarberry-Laybourn, Writer: There are so many reasons to be thankful.  Where to start? I am thankful for this opportunity to share my thanksgivings and to be able to work with such amazing people at Forefront Magazine.  Likewise, I am thankful to the incredible executives whom I am so fortunate to speak with and to learn from. It is also especially nice to know that every day is an opportunity to wake up, start anew, reinvent myself and take one more step towards my dreams.  In addition, I am particularly thankful for my family that supports and cherishes me.  And lastly, my children are healthy and happy, and frankly, there is no greater reason to be thankful.

Charlene Oldham, Writer: As an adjunct professor, continuing education teacher and freelance writer, I am thankful for a career that allows me to combine my passions. Not only do I get to learn about interesting people and topics through my writing, I get to share my knowledge with students of all ages every day. And working from home three days a week is pretty nice, too!

HAPPY THANKSGIVING from all of us here at Forefront!