What We're Thankful For

As we sit down and celebrate thanksgiving this year we should sit and reflect on all we have and what we are thankful for.

Back in February of 2007, shortly after this blog started to really kick off and get the small following that it has, I got a call from Jim Quigley, who at the time was not really involved in politics, other than a Republican committeeman in Ulster, he invited me to his house and we talked about my passion for politics and how he read the blog and he gave me advice on how to take it to the next level. It was a brief discussion and I really didn't have much communication with Jim until about a year later when I ran a successful campaign for his opponent Elliott Auerbach, probably costing him hundreds of thousands of dollars in the process.

To my surprise, when I was out of a job in the county shortly after that and in a great deal of soul searching of what to do with my life it was Jim Quigley that took the selfless act of again sitting down with me and helping me move forward and take the risk of leaving Ulster County for a shot at a better life in New York City, sharing his personal experiences, working in NYC and his success as the guy from Ulster County that made it big.

I can honestly say that if not for Jim, I am not sure this year would have been as good for me as it has, while life is not perfect, I have a full time job in NYC and am living on my own and making it as a young professional because of the advice and help of a guy that owed me absolutely nothing and just wanted to see a guy who he saw potential in make it, and for that I am extremely thankful for the friendship I have with Jim and I thank him for changing my life, I have grown and learned more in these eleven months than I have in the previous five years.

In that same time Len and Terry Bernardo, two people who again owed me nothing, befriended me and I am extremely grateful to them and would not know what to do without them.

Jon, M.A., and Stef my extended family who have always been there through good and bad, especially Jon my mentor and idol, sometimes I know I make him crazy but I know he knows deep down I do listen to his life lessons and am extremely thankful to call him my best friend.

And of course to my family, friends, and co workers at WFP and everyone that means so much in my life, thanks for always being there and Happy thanksgiving to all of you guys that come on here and read the nonsense and Machiavellian politics that I spew on a daily basis..all five of you :) Happy Thanksgiving to you all.