As we approach Thanksgiving long weekend, how do we live in gratitude mid pandemic? Jon Bon Jovi has the answer when talking about his new album, ‘2020’ – uplifting songs, encouraging as ever while recognising our current life. His mantra is “do what you can” – so simple yet profound from the celebrity who is busy ensuring his community has food during these hard times. Doing what we can to be the positive force within our family, friends and workplace circles – ensuring that we remember people living alone – supporting our local small businesses and restaurants so that they can stay in business post pandemic – contributing as we are able to our local hospitals and front line workers. There is no shortage of need and, for those of us grateful to be working, it is our opportunity to give back to the community which has always supported us.
As realtors we are forever grateful to our new and long standing clients who trust us with their big decisions and moves during this time. The real estate business contributes hugely to the economy, both through taxes and fanning out to all the other connected businesses from construction workers, architects, designers, furniture manufacturers, lumber mills through to all those other small purchases which mount up and keep other businesses alive.
So…Thanksgiving will look different this year – no huge family dinners with the gang staying over! But let’s do what we can. Those lucky enough to have family close by can opt for a much smaller simpler dinner with just enough leftovers. Any of us, whether alone or not can opt to support a local restaurant by getting take away as a safe relaxing holiday alternative. But I suspect that we shall all be increasing the bottom line for technology companies – parties and celebrations on Zoom, Skype FaceTime etc. At least we can see our families and friends for a Thanksgiving chat – an opportunity undreamed of by our parents and grandparents who all lived through polio, typhoid, tuberculosis, scarlet fever, Spanish flu on and on…
Technology is truly a gift right now. And, this is something most of us can do – those who do not have the technology to hand still have the benefit of that quaint instrument, the telephone!!
It is with grateful hearts that we wish you all a happy, healthy Thanksgiving wherever you are on the holiday weekend. Let us all be kind, calm and safe.
Generations Real Estate Partners:- Michelle Hawthorne, Scott Johnson, Sheila Francis, Ray Harris and Shane Goutsis