Thanksgiving Reflections: What We’re Thankful For in 2019

CQL gives thanks in 2019

Each year, for nearly a decade, CQL employees have collected their thoughts of gratitude and shared them in our annual Thanksgiving Reflections post. This is a special time for our talented team to reflect on not only what they are thankful for, but who they are thankful for this year. It’s refreshing to take a pause from the daily tasks, deadlines, and meetings to really reflect on what has been bestowed upon us. Take a moment and read along as we share our thoughts of gratitude with you. Maybe it will inspire you to take a few moments and give thanks, yourself. Happy Thanksgiving!

Adam Clason

I am thankful for my family, particularly my wife, Taylor, who takes care of our energetic two little children. I am also thankful that I get to go to a job that I love.

Aubrey Baker

I am thankful for a year of personal growth, supportive friends, family, and coworkers, and many adventures involving travel, scuba diving, and Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu.

Dan Moynihan

Thankful for my family, friends, and my job that I enjoy doing each day.

Dave MacArthur

Having parents that are aging and now facing challenges with everyday tasks, it’s easy to be thankful for just waking up and being able to do the little things we typically take for granted.

Doug Vanden Hoek

Thankful to God for all the many blessings he has poured on me and my family. I am very thankful for the love of my wife, children, parents, and friends. It has been an amazing year at CQL with great teammates and clients, super thankful for all that was accomplished and the memories made along the way. 

Eric Erickson

Thankful for the faith, family, friends, and coworkers that give me the inspiration and passion to move forward with joy each day, even the tough ones. I’m also thankful for this past year of learning new things alongside brilliant co-workers and our overall CQL team. Oh, and mountain biking.

Jen Sipich

I am thankful for a healthy family, great friends, and co-workers. Also, camping-filled Michigan summers!  

Jolene Sherwood

I am thankful for being back in my home state, close to family and friends. I am also grateful to my husband, who supports every move I make (even when I’m wrong), my awesome coworkers who keep work intriguing and spontaneous, and my two fur babies, Mello and Larry.

Justin Fiedler

I am thankful for working with coworkers who genuinely care about each other and an office that allows dogs to be brought in, countless ping pong games, and for my wife, Megan, who is always there for me and supports me through everything. I am also thankful for our two doggos, Zuri and Teddy, and for living in a state that has so much good beer!

Kevin Antel

I am so very thankful for God’s amazing grace, that He would love me enough to allow me to work, grow, and minister at CQL for 24 amazing years. I am thankful for my wife and kids, that they can bring such joy into my life, each and every day. I am thankful that I get to work with the most amazing and talented people in the industry that continuously encourages me to learn and grow. Lastly, I am thankful for the customers that trust enough to allow us into your business to help you solve problems, it truly feeds and inspires us.

Kevin Messing

I’m thankful for the good friends around me that make each day wonderful. I’m thankful for my wife, kids, and close family that are supportive and inspiring.

Kira Marzec

I’m thankful for every minute of every day that I get to share with my husband, the experience of being a parent to my smart and thoughtful son, working with such talented and caring individuals at CQL, and to have found a new home that makes me happy every day.

Kurt Nahikian

I am thankful for CQL friendships that span 2+ decades and equally grateful for those brilliant minds I have just now met. I can’t wait for the magic to continue. To all those who walked alongside me through the toughest days of my longest-years, I thank you with all my heart. And yes, each and every day, I am blessed to be The-Father-of-Amazing; with my heart still leaping when a call or text comes in that simply starts “Hi Dad.” And after 50-something years, I now know the best part of being the little brother. (Even if I am the only one of three who still has hair.) And each and every day, I am most grateful for my best friend for over 36 years. Every other gratitude pales in comparison. Through the worst of times and the best of times; it is for you, my love, that I am most grateful.

Larissa Field

I’m thankful for nurses that listen, my fuzzy critters, having names to put on long-running mysteries, a job that keeps me on my toes, coworkers, and friends that are continually awesome, having the drive to be creative again, a year of relatively few issues with my new house, and meeting a nerd that I kinda like.

Lydia Wodarek

There’s SO MUCH I could say here, but I’m especially thankful for graduating this past spring, my wonderful husband, for an excellent first “real-world” job where I get to work on interesting things and learn a ton, and for amazing coworkers who are always happy to help and never seem to run out of patience for all of my questions!

MacKenzie DeWitt

I am thankful for: the health and happiness of those to whom I am closest, being able to spend my days surrounded by kind, talented, & creative people (in and out of work), and having the time and ability to do the things I enjoy most.

Mark Lardieri

I am thankful for God’s love and grace, as well as for times with my family, team members, and friends. I am also thankful for the opportunity to learn and experience new things every day.

Mark Loew

Snow.

Marshel Barbash

I’m thankful for my amazingly talented wife and my 4-year-old daughter, who is absolutely the coolest person I get to re-meet all the time as she changes and grows. I am also thankful that I’m able to use my skills to acquire resources for my family in a welcoming and flexible environment filled with great people.

Micah Lunt

I’m thankful for the opportunity to work with people who challenge me, help me learn new things every day, and make for a great working environment!

Michael Leonard

Lunch and Learns and professional development opportunities.

Mike Eldred

In the realm of CQL, I’m thankful for the blessings of a variety of interesting projects, great customers, and capable team members. I also appreciate God’s love and faithfulness as He demonstrates that through family time, relationships, and His beautiful creation.

Phil Haas

I’m thankful for new beginnings.

Ryan Donahue

I am thankful for my wife – she is a fantastic mother and wife, she always puts our family first, and we’d all be lost without her.

Seiarra Schrum

I am thankful for my family, friends, and my dog, Koda. I am also very thankful for the ability to do what I love each and every day, surrounded by people that constantly pushes me to grow. And, of course, I am thankful for hotdogs, because without them, life just wouldn’t be the same!

Scott Robertson

I am thankful for my family, friends, the relationships I’ve made at CQL, and the opportunity to have new challenges every day.

Seth Galligan

I am thankful that I get to work in a place where I am surrounded by deeply good people who care about and support each other.

Stephanie Poll

I’m thankful that someday the snow will end, and it’ll be summer again. Also for dogs existing.

Steven Bliss

There’s so much in life to be thankful for, it’s hard to narrow it down. I am most thankful for my partner for life, and also for getting to work every day with an amazing team of smart people, dedicated to doing excellent work. And for dogs.

Sue Hunter

I am thankful for having a great team and colleagues, interesting work every day, a healthy family, and Michigan summers.

Tom Arehart

I am thankful for my family, friends, and opportunity. Also, for freshly ground coffee, a fully stocked candy bowl by Kevin’s desk and countless ping pong games.