Each of us, whether we realize it or not, has a team that works with and for us every day. As a rule, we don’t really operate on our own, even if we like to think we do. We are all dependent on other people, just as they are dependent on us. Your particular team usually stretches further than you might ever have imagined. If every morning you patronize a certain coffee shop, for example, the barista who works there is a part of your team, serving you your coffee or cappuccino exactly the way you like it to start your day off just right.
It is comforting to reflect on all the people that comprise one’s team, and although it may be an insufficient expression of my gratitude, I personally would like to thank those I am fortunate enough to have on mine.
In the creative area, every one of my blogs is reviewed for spelling, grammar and even relevance by Bill Bonvie, and it is not unusual for Bill to let me know when a blog is too weak for prime time. For over 10 years, Linda Bonvie has been the go-to person for all web-related activities and special writing assignments. She was the co-author of both “Chemical Free Kids” books and also led the design team for my memoir, “Uncharted Waters.” The placement of my blogs and coverage I’ve received in various social media has been largely thanks to Ashok Kamal and Bennu, the organization he co-founded to help society achieve a more sustainable lifestyle. As always, Bill Shepard, Dave Carter and Greg Horn have served as trusted sounding boards and business partners, and I want to thank all three of them for the honest feedback and inspiration they provide. And thanks, too, to Bill Nicholson for inspiring me to think big and always pushing me to new levels of achievement, whether he’s aware of it or not.
Then, there are the team members who have consistently handled my various business needs. Deb Irwin, for more years than I can calculate, has kept track of my expenses. (I’m not sure how she does it, as, given my inability to navigate in a sea of numbers, but somehow the Visa and American Express bills always seem to get paid.) Thanks Deb. I’d also like to thank Nataliya Shur for keeping the books straight, the accounts accounted for, and ensuring the checks get written in a timely fashion. Christie Roels has been handling my travel requirements for about 10 years now, and her company ProTravel has been a tremendous help to me, always making sure I get the benefit of any and all available upgrades. Thanks, Christie, for making all those journeys so much more enjoyable.
Also on the team are members of my immediate family, who have lent their support to my various endeavors. My son Nick is always around to help out and my daughter Alexis provides the “grounding factor.” Then there are my mom and dad, whom I thanked in the book “Uncharted Waters” and my sister Maree, who keeps me up to date on birthdays and other family stuff I might otherwise overlook.
While I am sure there are others who deserve credit for helping me in whatever I have achieved, I just wanted to take this opportunity as another year draws to a close to thank the team that I work with every week. And in so doing, to make the point that no matter how self-sufficient we believe ourselves to be, we all have people on our team assisting us in various aspects of our lives, both large and small, and to whom we should be sure and express our gratitude every now and again.