What I'm especially thankful for this Thanksgiving

As Thanksgiving approaches, our thoughts naturally turn to the many things for which we are thankful.  Of course I’m thankful that my husband Jon and I and our children and their families are all well. This year especially, I am also thankful that Jon has a job he really likes. 

He was unemployed for more than a year and a half, and that was a stressful time – especially since my real estate sales seemed to slow a bit during that period too.  He worked hard even while unemployed – spending about as much time and energy looking for a job as if he were working full time.   We were never destitute, by any means, but money was a lot tighter than we were used to.

But almost a year ago he was hired by a wonderful company – Sunrise Environmental Scientific.  This is the kind of employer that is worth waiting for. 

The pay is still less than we would prefer (he is in industrial sales, commission-based, and has been building a territory from scratch), but it is growing and I am very proud of him. 

The best part is how proud of him his employer is.  They are very happy to have him working for them and they show their appreciation all the time.  With the knowledge that if I have a dry spell in real estate we won’t ever go hungry or lose our home if I can’t work for some reason, we are free to enjoy life much more and are planning vacations and more time with our families. 

I have even promised that I will take a trip to Greece with my daughter for her birthday in 2013.  While Jon wasn’t working I was afraid to make such a promise.  As stress in our lives eases, we are also having a lot more fun together – even if it is just to take a drive up in the hills or going for a walk together. 

I feel so bad for the families who haven’t found work and who are in much worse shape financially than we ever were.  And it would be wonderful if next year I could say that I’m also thankful that all of them have meaningful employment.

Maybe that's why I'm so grateful to have the opportunity to work on the Christmas Can Tree Committee of the Sacramento Association of Realtors, raising funds to help the local Salvation Army feed and shelter needy families for the holidays.

"This post is a submission to the DocuSign/ActiveRain Thankful Contest. It's possible I will win a prize for writing this post. You could win a prize too by going to the Contest Announcement and sharing your own story"

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 Susan Neal

Broker / Realtor
Century 21 Noel David Realty
Fair Oaks, California

Full time real estate services in Fair Oaks CA, with friendly professionalism, 30+ years experience. 

I work hard to give my buyer or seller a low-stress transaction.

"Happy clients make me happy."

For all your real estate needs or questions, call me at (916)705-8951or visit my website at www.SusanNealFineProperties.com.

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