Thanksgiving Gratitude from InkHouse

As we race into Thanksgiving for a momentary pause before the end-of-year crunch, we want to take a moment to thank our wide and supportive InkHouse community. We’ve had another year of tremendous growth, which has landed us in bigger office space that we’re now calling home. We are so grateful for the clients who trust us and partner with us to tell their amazing stories. Without them, of course, there would be no InkHouse.

Meg and I are also so grateful for our amazing InkHouse family who impress us with their high standards, inspire us through their personal pursuits, remind us of the importance of community amid hardship, and entertain us with their eternally good humor. As I’ve done for the past three years, I asked them to share their lists of gratitude, which follow in no particular order.  I usually edit blog posts down, but I could not find too many words worthy of the delete key.

Lisa VDP: I’m deeply thankful for my family, my health and my amazing colleagues –and the happy surprises that life brings when you least expect them.

Whitney: For so many things. Watching my parents with my nephew – true love at its finest. I’m thankful that every day I get to try to be the coolest auntie ever.

I’m thankful for my hilarious friends, hot yoga in January and for turning 30. And, I’m thankful that I’m challenged and able to laugh every time I walk through the doors at InkHouse.

Casey: I am thankful for my health, 15 foot Christmas trees, friends near and far, InkHouse, airplanes and my supportive family – my sweet brother who reminds me what is truly important in life, my beautiful sister who inspires me to work hard, my mother who is my best friend and my father who pushed me to make some of the most difficult, yet rewarding, decisions that have turned into the greatest journeys I never imagined I’d take. I am thankful for a big Irish family full of people who are always the life of the party and make being home for the holidays the best place in the world. And I am thankful for Nick, who makes being 1,500 miles away from them a little easier every day.

Zoe: I am thankful for my hilarious coworkers, supportive friends, forgiving West Coast family (that includes my soon-to-be sister-in-law) and delicious baked goods.

Sam: I am thankful this year as always to be surrounded, supported & inspired by incredible people. And for good health & good humor.

Courtney: I came across last year’s Thanksgiving post while preparing for my InkHouse interview. I recognized right away the feeling of luck that is felt and shared between those who work here—I’m thankful today to know what all the fuss was about.

Jackie: I’m thankful for my two little miracle boys. They teach me something new every day and make me a better person. I’m thankful for my husband and the rest of my family who have always supported me and push me to do my best on a daily basis. And, for finding my way to InkHouse. I couldn’t ask for a more intelligent, thoughtful, fun group of coworkers.

Jill: I’m thankful for my little (and growing) family, great friends, a career I enjoy, good books, sunshine, sleeping…and knowing that an extra-dirty martini is waiting for me to enjoy in just two months!

Alison: In addition to my family, I am thankful I am at InkHouse where I get to learn from each and every one of my colleagues all the time!

Danielle: I am thankful for my amazing family and relatives – we never miss a Sunday night dinner all together. I am also so grateful to be at a job where my colleagues have become my friends and they help me learn something new every day. I’m thankful I can come to work every day and know that people genuinely care about each other. And last but not least, I’m thankful for work from home Fridays where I can stay in my pajamas all day.

Steve: My beautiful wife – my best friend for the past 10 years who I happily married just two short months ago – and all of our family and friends who made Sept. 14 the most special day of our lives.

Lee: I am thankful for an incredible team that encourages me to not only work hard but also gives me the freedom and support to tackle adventures outside work – from traveling to China to compete in a rowing regatta to training and racing in the New York City Marathon. And that was just in my first eight months at InkHouse!

Mike: This year I am particularly thankful for a wonderful family, long and loyal friendships, good health and great opportunities.

Tina: I am grateful for so many new (and longstanding) colleagues who bring it all everyday; for our thriving real estate practice; and my book club that shares trying times, great wine and excellent books.

Elizabeth: This year, I am especially thankful for good health-seemingly simple yet so taken for granted. I am also thankful for the camaraderie of work colleagues and overall, connecting with the people I work with who just seem to get it. Laughter is so very important both in the workplace and at home!

Molly: This year, I am thankful to have joined such a talented and hard-working group of people. I’m also thankful for health and happiness, and I’m grateful that I will be spending the holidays surrounded by family and friends.

Don: I am thankful that I enjoy what I do for a living… and for my daily cup of earl grey tea.

Lisa M: I’m thankful every day for my friends and family – They are an amazing group of smart, strong, caring and hilarious people who give my life meaning. I’m very thankful for my coworkers, because they are incredibly supportive, make me laugh on even the most stressful days and indulge me when I try out new recipes for baked goods. I’m also grateful for craft breweries, barre classes with my amazing friend Kristin, The Next 26 Charity, Boston sports and Simpsons re-runs.

Kari: I am lucky to have so many things to be thankful for. I am thankful to have such amazing coworkers, mentors and friends here at InkHouse – they make getting up each day for work something to look forward to. I am thankful for my friends who bring so much love, laughter and just plain silliness into my life. I am thankful for my wonderful parents who always remind me to ‘dream big.’ And as always, I am most thankful for Jamie.

Rachael: I am thankful for my first holiday season as a Boston resident. I have enjoyed being close to family and friends this year and look forward to more New England adventures in 2014. I am also thankful for my first year at InkHouse and my amazing coworkers who keep me entertained every day.

Lindsay: Every day I am so grateful for my talented, funny and incredibly supportive family. I have no idea how I would get by without them. I am so grateful for the chance to work at InkHouse in a field that both challenges and excites me. I look forward to the blessings this next year will bring!

Anne: I am thankful for all of my families - biological, friend and InkHouse!

Rachel: I am thankful that my co-workers have become my friends. I know that when I arrive at work in the morning no matter what is happening or how many hours are required  – we will work together as a team. I’m also thankful for change and new opportunities this year, including the hundreds of great athletes and friends to run with three mornings a week at November Project in Boston.

Greg: I am thankful for all the people that make good times great and hard times better.

Kristin: For me, 2013 has been a year of change, culminating with a big move from Boston to the city of music (aka Nashville). While there are countless things I am thankful for as I look out the window of my office window, there are a few that rise to the top: The city view out my bedroom window, Ben & Jerry’s ice cream (which, without a doubt, feeds my soul), a husband and son who love to dance and sing – and make me smile every day, NPR (especially Tom Ashbrook) and Will & Grace re-runs (I mean, it took long enough). And, I would be remiss to leave out how grateful I am to work with colleagues who are intelligent, funny, creative, accepting and kind and for a company who appreciates – and celebrates – people’s unique perspectives, personalities and lives. “Thankful” does little to capture the gratitude overflowing in my heart this year.

Meg: I am thankful for another great year at InkHouse and for a life – at work and at home — surrounded by people I adore.

As for me, I am grateful for a year lived in the comfortable hum of my everyday. My daughters holding hands in the back seat of the car, or dancing to “We Will Rock You” in their PJs and tutus. The peacefulness of Lake Placid with my husband in the fall. The healing power of yoga. And the frequency of rainbows over Waltham this year.

Happy Thanksgiving!