I'm So Proud Of You

I almost had a heart attack when I opened my email this am but then quickly remembered today is the end of our December Blogging Challenge.  My bewilderment turned to delightment as this was no easy contest.  December has been one of the busiest months socially and professionally so for you to make the time to squeeze in a blogging challenge makes me so unbelievably proud. 

I get very emotional when I think about my AR family. Each and every one of you are so unique that it makes us completely harmonious.  We need fire and sass and confidence and your backbone to push us all to be the best possible.

Think about 2011...we've gone through so many changes.  When I look back, the first thing I think about is the major changes with AR's ownership.  Many were afraid that the soul of AR would be lost or taken away.  Nobody could ever take that away from us.  For the believers out there that can see past the fog, you know that too or you wouldn't be here. 

When a member is sick or gone missing we unite and reach out.  When a newbie needs to know the best way to get a market report together, we say 'Hey email me and I'll send you the template I made', (not to mention the template took hours and hours to create, tweak and make perfect...just email me, I got you). 

What about when one of you go on vacation and you stop 275 miles out of your way just to have lunch with Joe from AR.  Your spouse and kids may think you're crazy but you have butterflies in your stomach knowing you're finally meeting face-to-face.  Knowing that had you not spent so much time sharing and connecting on AR that you wouldn't of developed this friendship.  And of course you take a few snapshots to include in your blog later!

How many have cried over something on the 'Rain?  Or gotten so red in the face you needed to take a walk?  What about reading something that made your eyes almost pop out of your head?  Anybody get the strength they needed from another member's experience?  Has your phone rang just when you needed it to?  My hand is raised.

I think about you guys all the time.  My family and friends still can't get over the comments I get on my blogs.  Or they scratch their head when I try to tell them about what I get to do each day.  I feel like the luckiest girl to get to come to work and interact with such top core people day after day.  Don't get me wrong, there are times I want to yell and scream but those are few and far between.  I wouldn't be here if I didn't love what I did.  And I wouldn't love it if it weren't for you.  From the newbies to the old timers....I'm so proud of you and I can't wait to see what we do in 2012.

Happy New Year ActiveRain!  Bring it on 2012!