Halloween is over and that means the holiday season is upon us. We are just three weeks away from Thanksgiving. It seems like yesterday everyone was going back to school. At the bakery we are ramping up production and putting our pedal to the metal. Much the same is happening in many house holds. Along with this comes the accompanying stress. I have a personal cautionary tale for you. Perhaps you can avoid holiday angst; I fear it is too late for me.

I was at an installation dinner last week and several people came up to me and asked if I was alright. Most had not seen me for 6 months to a year, but I was left wondering why that question. At the dinner table I asked my friends and to a person they said my hair got a lot greyer and my face more haggard. Carole wasn't with me so I was left thinking of this the whole ride home and of course, on my arrival, I went straight to the mirror.

Yes, I am alright, but I could see their point. I have a lot going on. The last few months there have been issues with my Mom and we have been preparing our house for sale, and looking for a new house. Carole and I are staying local, but our house has gotten too big for just the two of us. It was a much different story 25 years ago with 3 young boys. Later we added an extension for Grandma and Grandpa to come live with us. It was a great home with lots of room for all. I now understand the nerve wracking experience of trying to sell your home. You have emotional ties and you wonder will perspective buyers see the things that you have loved all these years. Time will tell if they will; I hope it is sooner than later.

Again, Thanksgiving is just 3 weeks away. As we prepare our households for the holiday season please remember the reason for the day. Take stock of where you are in life. I was talking to a friend and said how I feel that my life has been filled with many blessings. He then listed some of the challenges and disappointments he knew I had faced. I sort of scolded him saying, "I would rather focus on the positive than the negative and my blessings are much more important to me than my disappointments."

It was just two short years ago that all of Long Island faced a huge challenge; the response to Hurricane Sandy. This occurred in the middle of Thanksgiving season. I have included a link to our 2012 November newsletter. All of us have much to be thankful for. Don't be afraid to show gratitude to all that have helped get you to today.

November 2012 Newsletter 

Rich Reinwald.