Thanksgiving is one of my favorite holidays. Perhaps it is all the food or the time we spend with family and friends. And, of course, there’s football (the American version which doesn’t need a penalty for diving)! As we prepare for Thanksgiving, I took a moment to reflect on the many things I am thankful for.

Family

First and foremost, this holiday is about taking some time off and spending it with family. We all work hard and, typically, our family doesn’t get as much of our time as we or they would like. We should all do a better job to spend quality time with them. Perhaps its throwing the football with your son, playing dolls with your daughter, or taking your wife out on a “date night.” You have to make time. My dentist once asked me, “Mike, do you know how to spell love?” After taking in by bewildered look for a moment, he replied “T-I-M-E.”

If you have kids, you know time flies and they really do grow up too fast. Time with them is so precious. I am always reminded of this listening to Harry Chapin’s song “Cat’s in the Cradle.” Nobody ever says on their deathbed “I wish I would have spent more time at the office.”

Friends

Good friends are tough to come by. They listen. They don’t judge (much). And, when times are really tough, they are always there with a shoulder to cry on. Bill Wither’s song “Lean on Me” is a good reminder of why we value friendship.

Of course, working a full-time job, attending kid’s soccer games, paying bills, etc. makes it hard to get together with friends as much as we would like. However, it is important to make time. I go fishing in the Outer Banks with the guys. My wife does a trip with her college friends. Each year, we both look forward to these trips as a way to reconnect and rekindle these important friendships.

Health

A few months ago I got a call from my sister-in-law that my brother was acting “weird.” I’ll save you the details, but it turns out he had had a stroke. Luckily, he’s fine with no lasting effects, but he was 40 years old! Earlier in the year, I had chest pains. Turns out it was just stress or indigestion, but subsequent testing revealed that I had high cholesterol. My dad had his first heart attack at age 50. These incidences remind me that it is important to take care of yourself. It also reminds me to make the most out of everyday as Tim McGraw sings in “Live Like You Were Dying.”

Clients

We’ve been in business for over 15 years and, from the very beginning, our company has been blessed to have the same Big 4 firm as our largest client. We work hard for them, but they’ve stuck with us through thick and thin. Our other clients are amazing too and this year we’ve been lucky enough to add additional companies and firms to our portfolio.

Every day, on behalf of our clients, we’re “Takin’ Care of Business” as Bachman-Turner Overdrive sang. We pride ourselves in providing exceptional service to them that exceeds their expectations. It is because of our clients that we have a company that I am proud to say helps feed 10 families. A big “THANK YOU” to all past, present, and future clients of GAAP Dynamics!

Colleagues

We have the best people working for GAAP Dynamics. They are extremely intelligent, have relevant experience working at the Big 4, and act professionally each and every day. However, even more importantly, I trust them completely and consider them part of the family. I know they have my back and, hopefully, like The Rembrandts’ sang in “I’ll Be There for You,” they know I have their back too! A company is only as good as its people. I guess that’s why we’re so great!

On behalf of everybody at GAAP Dynamics, we wish you a Happy Thanksgiving!