With Thanksgiving upon us, a few of the NextHome family members share what they are thankful for this year:
Charis Moreno – Vice President of Sales – The thought of putting into words all I am thankful for seems like a daunting task simply because there is so much is this world to be thankful for. When I tuck and kiss my kids in bed at night, lay beside my husband who loves and respects me, chat with my mother, run with my dog, go to the church I want, pray to the God I want or the fact that I do not fear being a successful woman with a job that seems more like a party than actually working are just a few things in this life I am thankful for.
When I watch the news and see so many children who have lost everything due to violence, mothers and fathers who have lost their children, children and women fallen to sex trafficking, starving people in my own city, people who have been slaughtered or tortured because of their religious belief or sexual preference, or someone who has been discriminated against because of the color of their skin or a badge they wear and so many children and families ripped apart because of a disease there is no cure for or a soldier who comes home with his/her body parts left in another country or worse in a flag draped coffin are just a few of the things that keep me up at night, but remind me every day that I have so much more than possessions and money to be grateful for.
I thank God everyday for the life I have been so fortunate to live knowing my life could have gone in so many other directions and I live, love and enjoy every kiss, smile, word and moment I have with my husband, kids, mother, sister, friends and colleagues and remind myself no matter what happened to me today there is always someone less fortunate than I am and it is up to me to leave today better than I found it and, more importantly, teach my children to do the same.
Amanda Cowles – Member Services Administrator – I am thankful for all of the opportunities that have presented themselves in 2015, I was able to make the best career change of my young professional life, and I am proud to say I found where I belong.
I am thankful to be surrounded by people who make me happy, both in and out of my office. Coming to work feels like a privilege rather than a chore, and I am thankful for that!
I have a supportive, loving man to come to every day, and 2 fur babies I couldn’t imagine my life without. They give me a reason to laugh and they keep me light hearted, I love them for that.I am also thankful for Five Guys, Starbucks, and In and Out.
Mostly, In and Out.
Taylor Cannon – Member Services Manager – I’m thankful that I get to go to work every day and actually enjoy what I do and the people I work beside. I’m also thankful for my husband who works harder than anyone I know. Lastly, I’m thankful for my family and friends who light up my life with laugher and joy.
Aaron Favinger – Software Project Manager – I’m thankful for all of our wonderful Brokers & Agents providing us the opportunity to push the envelope in Real Estate software. These are exciting times.
James Dwiggins – Chief Executive Officer – The opportunity to build a company with amazing coworkers, and members who have become family. I am fortunate to love what I do each and every day.
Lysella Shaw – Accounting Manager – I made a major life decision this year and left my husband. I found myself alone, 2900 miles from my family and no means to travel East for the holidays. I tried hard (and failed often) not to focus on the only thought that would come up when considering Thanksgiving and Christmas this year…. You will be alone on Thanksgiving and Christmas this year….for the first time….ever…literally alone. For one who grew up going to three Christmases in one day and spending Thanksgiving with an extended family of 35 people or so, this was overwhelming.
I decided that consuming myself with what my Holiday season would not be was only making things worse. So I changed my thoughts and attitude. Decided to focus on what I could create this season that may have a positive impact on others. I have so much compared to some. Sure my family is 2900 miles away, but at least I have one that loves and cares for me. So many people really and truly have no one. Sure I left my husband, but it was the best thing that could have happened for both of us. Not everyone has the opportunity to start over and change their lives.
I started researching volunteer work.
The very next day I had offers for Thanksgiving dinners, Christmas parties, and Christmas Day get-togethers. So many people were willing to share their families simply because they knew I would be missing my own. Just when you think things might suck the amazing people in your life show up and likely aren’t even aware of the impact they have made because they’re just being themselves.
Now I get to spend the holidays with people I love AND try to help others in some way. That’s pretty sweet.
I am thankful for my gigantic, loud, hilarious, annoying, warm and loving family. I miss them.
I am thankful for my amazing friends and co-workers who are genuinely kind and loving people.
I am thankful for the opportunity to stand in gratitude and recognize the goodness and beauty in others.
I am thankful for the opportunity to create a Christmas that isn’t all about me.
Keith Robinson – Vice President of Strategy – I’m thankful for: Little kid belly laughs, grown up belly laughs, live music, really smart conversations, smiles, family those by blood and those by choice, sunsets, drinks with umbrellas in them (and ones without), thoughtful people, holding hands, manners, great books, smart business decisions, songs that make you remember and new beginnings.
Imran Poladi – Vice President of Business Development – 2015 has been a challenging one for me both personally and professionally. I’ve had some setbacks and successes. The one thing that I am absolutely sure of is my own growth as a person.
I’m thankful for my continued good health, my amazing family who have supported me through the good times and the challenging times, and all the friends that make each day a joy for me. I’m also thankful for being able to be part of a company that does all it can to change the real estate industry for the better.
As the guy who traveled all across the country on behalf of our company, I’m thankful for every person I got a chance to meet, work with, and learn from in 2015. The experiences I have had the fortune of being a part of have been life changing.
Three years ago, I was celebrating Thanksgiving with the real possibility that it would be my last one. Tamara and Sebastian were my rocks as I tried my best to not think of the worst as I was about a week from starting chemo. With positive thinking, great doctors, people who stood by my side, and a lot of prayer, I’m here today. I’m thankful for the opportunity that God has given me at continuing to make a dent in this world.
Finally, I’m thankful for iced tea. It’s about time I kicked the Diet Pepsi habit 🙂
Christine Dwiggins – Vice President of Marketing and Events – Reflecting back on 2015 I am amazed at the whirlwind and what we have achieved this year. There are so many things for which I am grateful, including the gift of living life to the fullest everyday. This Thanksgiving I give thanks for family. My immediate family, married family, family of friends, our corporate team family, family from the real estate community, Realty World family, our new NextHome family and the Barry’s San Francisco family. The people who I am blessed to have in my life enrich everyday. They bring passion, challenge, guidance, laughter and perspective, all of which help make me grow and become a better person in all aspects of my life.
Mackenzie Baishiki – Franchise Development Director – I am thankful for my husband, Tei, whom I love and respect and who tackles every day with great determination and purpose (both work and play days). I am thankful for my family, friends and colleagues who I share my life memories with. I am thankful for our company and the excitement our new and old members bring to the real estate industry. I am thankful I had the opportunity to travel abroad this year with Tei and that I have a “silly” hobby with my two dogs, Ari and Italia. I am thankful for the little things too many people take for granted. Every year this little globe grows more complicated, more dangerous and filled with those who wish to destroy and harm their fellow man. So, most of all, I am thankful to have a roof over my head, to have clean water and food, to live in a place not torn apart by bombings, to be a woman who is not restricted in life and career choices and to be free to enjoy the beauty this gorgeous planet has to offer.
Tei Baishiki – Chief Operating Officer – We all live busy lives. A work hard, play hard attitude is not uncommon but every year when the Thanksgiving season begins to roll around I can’t help but to feel a change. Maybe it’s the visible change in Autumn leaves or the beginning of frosty mornings but the Thanksgiving season is a favorite time of mine.
I feel incredibly lucky to have so many things to be thankful for. I am thankful for my wife, Mackenzie, whom I love and adore. She is so loving and caring and brings incredible amounts of joy, smiles and laughter. I am thankful her hobby has given me the opportunity to experience pets and their unconditional love.
While no one has perfect health, I am thankful we have good health. I am thankful for having wonderful and loving parents. Without either of them I would not be the person I am today. I am thankful my father was given a second chance at life. In 1996 my father had a massive heart attack. So much of his heart died that night, he had to have a heart transplant to live on. 19 years later and I still am thankful each and every day for the wonders of medical science. I am thankful to have an incredible second family. I met Mackenzie’s family over a decade ago. They welcomed me with open arms the day I met them and I am thankful we are surrounded by such loving people, we call family.
I am thankful to have good friends. Those that are willing to be there for me when I need them, whatever it is. Those that I know will call on me when they need something, whatever it is.
I am thankful that we all make mistakes. Without mistakes, we wouldn’t have the opportunity to learn from and better ourselves.
I am thankful to work with an incredible group of dedicated and talented individuals. No one person can do it all. But as a team, we are limitless.