Winter is a season of contemplation. We look back at our year, consider our successes and failures, and then resolve to do better next year. This year is different, though. It was a year filled with suffering for too many of us – health and economic troubles hit our families and communities hard. At the end of this year, I'm content to feel like a survivor but I'm also grateful for a few things...

I’m grateful that we had the opportunity to help our clients adapt, and even succeed, in difficult circumstances. Every additional dollar of revenue that we helped to protect for our clients supported the groceries, mortgage payments, and health insurance of their employees.

I’m also grateful for the amazing employees at BOLD! You adapted quickly to changing circumstances and kept your chins up as we dealt with change and increased workloads. I’m glad we were able to keep all 28 of our employees on our payroll, even as business conditions looked dire in the first half of the year. Keeping the team intact and employed was our leadership team’s sacred responsibility, and I’m proud that we succeeded.

Finally, I’m grateful for personal growth. This year taught me a lot about myself and about the people in my life. I was confronted with unexpected challenges and had to make choices that I didn't feel quite ready to make. While the chatter was all about the division in our country, I also saw lots of good around me - acts of kindness, love, and moral support that transcended differences. I have concerns for the future, but I am more optimistic than ever about our potential.

2021 will be a different year and hopefully, an easier one for all of us. I hope that in this holiday season, you’re also able to find some gratitude or at least some peace. Best wishes to you in the new year!