Dear Friends

Welcome to the 7th Annual Kerns Thanksgiving Missive.  For the past 6 years I have subjected my old work colleagues, family and friends to a missive about my personal reasons for being thankful, whether they wanted to hear it or not.  The annual missive is about why I am thankful for the opportunity to experience the love and friendship of the people who make up my life and to be able to take advantage of the opportunities that present themselves to us every day.   

For those who are new to this tradition, welcome, and to those who are veterans I hope you’re not yet tired of receiving my annual message of “thanks”……

When thinking of Thanksgiving I always try to pick a theme that seems to fit that particular year. 

As always there is so much for which to be thankful.  This year’s missive is focused on being thankful for “time”; past, present and (if I may be so presumptuous) the future.

The time that I had watching my three amazing daughters grow up into incredible young adults was, and is, a precious gift.  In a past “missive” I wondered (as most parents do) how their kids would turn out.  That question has been answered.  THEY’RE AWESOME!!!!!  I learn from them each and every day.  The teacher has become the student.

The time I spent with Jeanmarie building a life, family and legacy in this world is beyond description.  Jeamarie's passion and humanity is one of the main reason my girls are so wonderful.

The time spent being a productive member of our society pursuing an amazing career full of amazing experiences shared with amazing people.  I look back in awe of what we all accomplished in that time.  In fact, I will never forget; “If you don’t want to do it, Kerns, I’ll do it, but then what the F*#@ do I need you for” (that kinda summed it all up).

Since leaving my career (and because of that career) I am extremely thankful for the opportunity to have been very involved in my local community and being able to help create an atmosphere of engagement and belonging within this community.  In addition, I am thankful for getting to know the new generation of inspired leaders who are blazing new trails with their passion and intelligence. (Thank you Tammy, Christen and Lindsay of “She’s the First” and of course my girls; Katty, Maura and Erin)

I look forward to the future and what it may bring (as they say; “bring it on”).  Where will my children end up and with whom will they share their “time”?  Where will our travels bring us and what will Jeanmarie and I experience during those travels?  As I wind down a number of current projects I wonder what other opportunities and/or challenges may arise.  I am thankful that I am healthy and fortunate to have the ability to wonder about the future.

I reminisce about the past and I look to the future and I am thankful.  But I am most thankful for “now”, the time that I have right now!  The people in my life right now.  The experiences I am experiencing right now.  I am learning how to be more present, how to live my life with intention right now.  Memories are wonderful and my past has created who I am right now.  I can’t change the past and the future will be what it will be, but as I live each day with intention, focusing on what I can control right now I will be creating new and wonderful memories and the future will continue to take care of itself.

So, I am thankful for the time that I have right now!

Please have a Happy and Safe Thanksgiving

Peace
Tom (a/k/a TK, #papakerns, Hit Man, grandpa and of course “tickles” – don’t ask)