My favorite holiday is coming up this week – Thanksgiving.

The combination of friends and family gathering to show appreciation while enjoying a big meal…priceless.

A tradition at our office is the Annual BKA Thanksgiving Potluck lunch. Everyone brings something to the table and we all savor each other’s culinary talents. The word “potluck” comes from the practice of throwing leftovers in a pot – with luck determining how good things will taste. There is way more skill displayed at this feast than luck. Though this wonderful office event is yet another reminder to me how lucky and grateful I am to get to work with such a remarkable group of people.

I asked the BKA team to share with me the reasons why they are grateful. Here are some of the things they had to say:

“I’m grateful for my niece, Noelle; and for having a job that fulfills me, stimulates my mind to think differently every day, and let’s me see the vast world outside my everyday life.” – Adam Suellentrop, Manager, Production Services

“I’m grateful for the four seasons. Visually, they are each beautiful and I look forward to sharing the little traditions and simple experiences with my daughter that make each season special.” -Angela Stassi, Marketing Director

“There are so many things I’m thankful for. But firstly, life and family.” – Sowbagya Gokulrum, Production Assistant

“I am extremely thankful for the support and humor of my colleagues. We might not always agree and we have different styles of working, but they always have my back and keep me going when times gets challenging.” –Kate Boyer, Producer

“I am grateful for my wonderful family and that they are happy and healthy (and a bit crazy) and for great friends and co-workers because you literally can’t get through the week without them.” – Susan Belsky, Meeting Planner

“I’m grateful for the fact that the alarm clock on my iPhone has been replaced by a little girl calling out “daddy.” – Andre Shahrdar, VP Business Development

I’m thankful for working remotely, breathing, and the ability to see my parents daily.” –LaKeisha Williams, Bookkeeper

“I’m grateful for the love and support I get from my family and friends on a daily basis.” –Joyce Clement, Producer

“On this upcoming thanksgiving day, I am certainly grateful for turkey, duck, chicken and the wonderful result that occurs when then they are sewn together and baked throughout.” – Andrew Litz, Creative Development Coordinator

“I am grateful for coworkers with a sense of humor ” –Lilit Kalachyan, Designer

“I’m thankful for smiles.” – Ted Kelso, Business Development Coordinator

“For being able to work with my best friend ” –Jennifer Kauf, Creative Director

“I am grateful for being able to watch my daughter grow, for the unconditional love of my family and friends and for the end of every day and when I wake every morning.” – Frank Pascrell, Technical Director

“I am grateful for the flexibility that BKA allows me so I can actively participate in my children’s lives, whether it’s being the Mommy Taxi, sitting in honor assembly watching my daughter accept her awards or when my son hits the home run and I see the pride on his face.” – Kim Fields, Senior Meeting Planner

“I am grateful for the discovery and virtual sharing of ideas and inspiration.” – Laura Peña, Designer

“I am grateful for the feet that support me and allow me to walk and move and dance through this glorious life.” –Lynnette Barkley, Vice President

“I’m thankful for my healthy family and my loyal friends.” – Sasha Zonsius, Production Assistant

“I’m thankful for my BKA family.” – Ryan Guerra, Production Assistant

PS: A few years back, we asked friends, family and colleagues to share their thoughts on why they were grateful.” We were so inspired, we created a video. When I watched it today, I realized it’s timeless. Check it out when you have a moment.

www.bka.net/thegratefulsaid

Happy Thanksgiving!

Thanksgiving has always been my favorite holiday. No pressure of giving holiday gifts. No pressure of having a Valentine’s Day sweetheart. Just a great time to get together and eat yourself into a food coma.

Many, many years ago, when my parents were still alive, we had a major family reunion at Thanksgiving. Always a risky proposition. We usually kept the holidays more contained, but this particular year, it was everyone. Aunts, nephews, cousins and of course my indefatigable, irascible grandmother. Four foot, eight inches of Armenian suffering stuffed into a pair of orthopedic shoes that could kick your butt from here to Mt. Ararat.

I was on a break from college. I hadn’t started planning events yet but knew that we needed some sort of activity to keep the party sane. My brother had a home video camera and we decided that we would interview all the family members — asking them what they were thankful for. It was fun to hear what family members said. “I’m grateful my nose isn’t as big as Uncle Shah’s….” “I’m thankful that Aunt Sonny makes the best choereg…” “I’m thankful that I could climb the 44 steps from the street to the front door — why did you buy this house, anyway?!” As we moved around our childhood home asking these questions, we were soon approaching Grandma. What was she thankful for? Her husband had died years back, she never wanted to live in this country, her kids had all moved away. What was going to come out of her mouth?

“Grandma, what are you thankful for this Thanksgiving?” She smiled at the camera and froze. She thought her picture was being taken. “Grandma, it’s a movie. Tell us. In your own words. What are you thankful for?” She very earnestly looked into the recorder and said, “I’m a happy for the family. And the helt…(translation: HEALTH) and I just wanna pizz.”

“What?!” my brother asked.

“I just wanna pizz. Pizz on the world. For everyone. Can we just get along with each other and have world pizz?!”

Thanksgiving was memorable that year. And for many years after that we played back that video — never again with that many family members together. But those of us that were together got a good laugh — and some tears — at seeing the family preserved for a moment in time — remembering we had so many things to be thankful for.

Fast forward — I inherited Uncle Shah’s nose, Aunt Sunny still makes the world’s best Choereg and my grandmother who is at peace now didn’t get her wish for world pizz. But I have never forgotten her Thank You’s. She really was thankful for her family and that her health allowed her to be with all of us.

Saying thank you is one of the most powerful things we can do.

Life is a series of events and we’ve all had a year of wondering when the next event is going to happen. Let’s be thankful for the good events when we have them.

What are you thankful for?