Thanksgiving--What This Charlotte Realtor Is Thankful For

Tomorrow is Thanksgiving Day. Traditionally a holiday we spend with our families. For most people it signifies the start of the "Holiday Season". For others it marks traditions with families that they look forward to each and every year. For others it is a time to reflect back and be grateful for what the year has brought...... This year, Thanksgiving has brought many emotions and meanings to me. Some I never gave much thought to in the past. others that are new for the year. For me it has always been about being thankful for what I have. Growing up; I was always taught to be thankful for what you have because it was more than someone else had and wished they had. We also had the family traditions of getting together and celebrating the day as a family. As i grew older I started to create my own traditions with my family. One thing i did was remember to be thankful for what i had and to teach my children the same; we would volunteer at the local soup kitchen and help with Thanksgiving dinner for those who did not have a family to go home to. Spreading a little love and smile into someone else life gives you a better appreciation of the one you have. As a Realtor I have many things every year i am thankful for. I love my job and it shows. I enjoy meeting new people every year and making friendships that last a lifetime. I enjoy seeing the smile on someones face when at the closing table they have signed the last piece of paper and realize that they now own their first home. The joy I get out of helping someone sell their home...The list goes on and on...... However; this year (actually the past 5 weeks) has added a new perspective for me on Thanksgiving and the meaning of what it is. My oldest daughter lost her mother in October to an unfortunate accident in her house. The tragedy was compounded when it was revealed she was dead for almost three days before anyone found her. Explaining to a 14 year old that your mother has passed away is tough enough....when she realizes it took days before they found her was sad and lonely. She will never again be able to call her or text her...the holiday's this year will be marked by an empty feeling with the loss of her mother....yet, I admit every year when my family and i sit down for Thanksgiving dinner we are remembering what we are thankful for...but the greatest gift we all should be thankful for is there with us...our family. Yet, in all the things I try to teach my children; the one thing I guess I have overlooked is the fact that the greatest gift we can be thankful for is there with us that day.... and it usually is because we never think it will be us that is without someone until it happens to us.... Happy Thanksgiving from my family to yours... Dave diCecco Realtor/Broker www.davedicecco.com