Thanksgiving Reflections: What We’re Thankful For in 2020

Thanksgiving Reflections: What We’re Thankful For in 2020

It’s an understatement to say that 2020 has been challenging for everyone. Over the past year, most of us have been forced to change our work habits and connect virtually with loved ones to celebrate anniversaries, birthdays, and holidays from afar. Amidst these daily challenges and changes, CQL has been looking at the glass as half full. We’re counting our blessings and choosing to reflect on the positive impacts this social and cultural change has fostered. Over the past couple of weeks, our CQL family took a few minutes to look back and collect their thoughts of gratitude for our annual Thanksgiving Reflections post.

So, take a break, pour a warm cup of coffee or tea, and count these blessings with us. May your heart be filled with warmth and your soul with gratitude for what this year has brought us. Then, take some time for yourself to look back and reflect on your most cherished memories of 2020.

Adam Clason

I’m thankful for my wife and 3 young, energetic kids that have brought such joy during this challenging year. I’m thankful for God and this time of year where we celebrate His gifts to us and His love for us.

Amanda Clement

I’m truly thankful for the prayers that have been answered for my family and friends this year. 2020 has been full of change and we have all come together to get through all the curveballs of this year. My husband and son have made every day of this year an amazing adventure and we have enjoyed spending family time together, and playing with cars, trucks, and tractors. I am thankful for my CQL family and the opportunity to be a part of this team. It is amazing to have such a great group of truly talented individuals to work with each day. This year has been an absolute blessing.

Chris Shaffer

I’m thankful for my healthy and happy family, and for having a job doing something I enjoy with great people.

Darian Bonnell

I am thankful for CQL. As one of the people in this country that fell victim to losing his job due to COVID, CQL took a chance on me. My family and I are very grateful for that.

Eric Erickson

I am thankful daily for faith, family, friends, and freedom. And for all the craziness that 2020 has brought. I am thankful for working with an outstanding team that makes working from home still exciting and fun while making positive impacts for our clients time and time again. I’m also thankful that 2021 is right around the corner!

Hannah Guzman

I’m thankful for 2020. Yes, you heard that right. Sometimes, it takes the hardest years to experience true growth. 2020 has been a year full of reprioritizing the things that really matter. I’m thankful for my family, hard and uncomfortable conversations with people from all walks of life, my faith, and my new CQL family that has given me an amazing opportunity to do what I love every day and spend more time with my family while doing it.

Jason Klaassen

I am thankful for my amazing housemates, who have been keeping me sane during COVID, and for CQL, who honored their offer after the pandemic hit, when I know many other graduates who lost theirs. I’m grateful for enjoying my work and my great new coworkers, who are so helpful.

Jen Sipich

2020, man… it’s been the worst and best year of my life. I was diagnosed with and beat cancer. Even with the pandemic, I will always look back on this year with gratitude. I’m thankful for my friends and family that were there every step of the way. The support I had was incomparable. I’m also thankful to my CQL family who cheered me on, gave me the flexibility I needed, and talked me through some pretty ugly moments. I’m thankful to have spent so much time with my husband and son this year – they were truly my rock. With all that said, I look forward to 2021 as much as anyone else! In the words of an old friend, “Onward and Upward!”

Jolene Sherwood

This may be one of the most difficult years I have lived through, but I am so thankful for my family, friends, work-family, and above all – God. I am so grateful and blessed for the opportunity to wake up and rest my head each day looking forward to what lies ahead. I am also so grateful to spend time with my fur babies, Larry and Mello!

Kevin Antel

In an interesting year of ups and downs (and in some cases, sideways). First and foremost, I am incredibly thankful for a loving God who continues to bless me, my family, and this business. In any time of turmoil or trouble, He is there! This year was my 20th anniversary with my wife, who I am thankful for walking beside and lifting me up on a daily basis and for giving me two incredible kids who are happy, healthy, and caring. I am thankful for working with some incredible people, who exude our core values with a drive to help people we interact with and support on a daily basis. I am truly blessed to have a good Work, Life, and Dog balance. Yup, Dogs are in a category all their own…

Kira Marzec

For me, 2020 brought an ending, but also new chapters. I’m so very thankful for every laugh and smile my husband gave me before departing and every laugh and smile my son gives me today.

Lance Harman

2020 has made me more thankful than ever for my health and the health of my loved ones. I’m also thankful to be employed at a job where I can work from home. Oh, and also a new home!

Larissa Field

I’m thankful for…

  • Being a homebody introvert that had an easy transition to working from home during this super fun year.
  • Thursday Night Video Chats with my friends.
  • Clients that laugh when my dog starts screaming at the neighbors in the middle of a project demo.
  • Coworkers that I can have entire conversations with via animated gifs.
  • Having such a loving and supportive mom who came to take care of me while I was recovering from surgery, then dropped everything to do it all over again three weeks later when my drama queen gallbladder was abruptly evicted.
  • Working with people who threatened to call said mother on me for working too much while supposedly ‘taking it easy’ during recovery. I guess.

Lydia Wodarek

There are a great many things I’m thankful for, but up at the top of that list this year is a wonderful new house. I’m grateful to have a stable job that I can easily do from home when there are so many people for whom that isn’t the case.

Mark Lardieri

I am thankful to God for the blessings and opportunities to be obedient He provides me. I am thankful for a supportive wife who allows me to chase my dreams and for children who make me proud on a daily basis. I am thankful to work with an incredibly smart group of people who genuinely care about helping others.

Mike Eldred

I’m thankful for the continued health of loved ones and God’s faithful provision in all ways seen and unseen for myself, family, and members of the CQL team.

Michael Leonard

I’m thankful that I’ve been able to work safely and flexibly in such a bizarre year. Also very thankful that friends and family have been able to stay healthy and safe as we await the vaccine!

Mitch Stack

2020 was one of the most difficult years, but looking back, I have a lot to be thankful for. I’m thankful for my friends and family for always being so supportive, for my cat, Bonnie, who makes every day better with her company, and for having a job that is enjoyable and rewarding. I’m thankful for having a roof over my head and food on my table. It can be easy to think that things will get worse with all that happened in the past year, but I’m hopeful for the new year and I’m excited to see what the future holds.

Phil Haas

I’m thankful for my health, my happiness, and my new home in a city I love. I’m also thankful that 2020 is nearly over.

Ryan Donahue

2020 was a crazy year, but first and foremost – I’m happy and thankful that my family is healthy and safe. I’m also thankful for the relationships I have with our clients. I truly love working with them every day.

Seth Galligan

I’m thankful for all the people who make CQL a great place to work. I also feel so, so, so, so, so lucky that we work in ecommerce and can have job security during the pandemic when millions do not have that privilege.

Stephanie Poll

I’m thankful that the construction on the beltline happened during the quarantine and not while everyone was going into the office daily.

Steve Bliss

I’m happy we’re able to continue to do great work for our clients while doing our part to combat the pandemic.