Is it just me or is 2025 going by in a blur? It seems it was just last week that we turned the page on 2024!
I wanted to pause for a moment and consider an attitude of gratitude before Nov. 27th comes. Do you mind if I start with myself?
Thanksgiving Day will mark my 43rd anniversary to my beautiful wife Natalie. This year also saw the birth of grandchild No. 5: Killian Barrett Webb. I think you would agree that those are wonderful things that are easy to be thankful for.
Professionally, I want to make sure I’m grateful for the opportunity to serve you all as Chamber President. Six years have come and gone and I value the relationships I’ve made here now, more than ever.
I want to make sure I tell my employees, Heather Kitner and Stephanie Carr, (and most recently Indhiana Martinez) how much easier they make my day here at the Chamber. I also appreciate our Board of Directors led earlier in the year by Joe Reilly and now by Lisa Bertossa. Many Chamber executives tell horror stories of dysfunctional Boards. My Board encourages me and helps drive our business community forward.
Finally, I’m thankful for the country I live in. We all know It’s not perfect. We’ve had heartbreak and division, stress and confusion. So, this Thanksgiving, would you join me in saying a special prayer for our country. No matter what your views are, I think you would agree that our nation needs healing.
As we count our blessings this Thanksgiving, please know that I am praying for you and I hope you might say a few words for me.
As always, I have a few wishes to share. I wish: That you could spend time at the Kid’s Table this year and relive what it means to laugh, giggle, spill your milk and get chocolate smears on your face.
That you could learn that old secret family recipe for a time-honored dish that you’d been meaning to master. Let it remind you of a loved one who tenderly prepared it year after year and still holds a special place in family lore.
That you could take a nice walk after Thanksgiving Dinner and have a joyful conversation with those you don’t see often enough.
That the hugs you exchange this Thanksgiving would be enough to sustain you through the Holiday shopping season. It’s not about the stuff … it’s really not.
Finally, I wish that you experience a beautiful Florida sunset Thursday evening and realize just how blessed we all truly are.
Dirk Webb is the President & CEO of the St. Cloud Chamber of Commerce.
