Very thankful

“Thanksgiving after all, is a word of action.” -W.J. Cameron

There’s no better time to reflect on all that work-at-home has provided me and give thanks for the life it allows me to lead. Too often, we don’t step back and realize what a gift we’ve been given, and working from home is truly that. So looking back at some moments from this year…

I am thankful that I was home with Gidget in her final months. In between meetings, I was able to take her outside and clean up any accidents. And while on meetings, I was able to hold her in my arms and help her feel secure and loved. My husband and I are both convinced that she would have left us much earlier if she had not had mommy at home to help. It was no disruption to my work day, but made a huge impact on her quality of life.

I am thankful that I was home when my husband had his shoulder surgery. Again during breaks, I was able to get him his meds, change his ice, help him get around, and so on during those first weeks of recovery. Had I not been working from home, I likely would have had to take time off to be at home. This way, I was able to do all of my work and take care of him when he needed help.

I am thankful that the late nights, early mornings, working lunches, and weekends were conveniently in my home. I don’t enjoy when those happen, but it it’s part of the job sometimes. Instead of spending time commuting for extra work, I was able to just work. Instead of worrying about safety in a dark building in a dark parking lot all alone, I was home and secure. Instead of feeling isolated from my family and neglectful, I was still able to pet Lucy and talk with my husband. That takes a little of the sting out!

I am thankful that I can wear comfy clothes each day. It saves a ton on wardrobe money! But it also allows me to take Lucy for a walk during lunch or get work done around the house with ease. In doing so, emptying the dishwasher and doing laundry during my lunchbreak saved me time in the evening to spend with my family and friends.

I am thankful that I was at home while we had our deck project taking place. I was able to check in on the progress of the build and correct any issues in a timely manner, and see things in their “in between” state, catching issues that may have been covered up. This wasn’t a picnic, and drove me a little crazy, but I’m glad I was able to ensure things were done properly.

I am thankful that my lunchbreaks are “my” time. In addition to chores and taking walks, I am able to just chill in front of the TV if I need a break. During the summer, I was able to go tend to my yard and enjoy that new deck. And I was able to visit with my niece and nephew, whom I absolutely adore! They brighten any day!

I am thankful that on those rainy and snowy days, I don’t have to drive. I’m not fond of driving on slippery surfaces (dating back to a horrible wreck in college), and not having to deal with that keeps so much stress away. Not to mention, I get more time being productive at work rather than doubling my time in traffic. And, believe it or not, I’m thankful even for the “snow days”, where I still have to work when others don’t. I’ll gladly work on those quiet days and keep the wheels on the bus in trade for everything I get back.

I am thankful that when my grandmother fell at my parent’s house, I was able to get right over there. No driving, no fuss. I was out the door and able to help in 5 minutes. I’m sure my mom is thankful for that as well!

I am thankful for the opportunity to explore this new work-at-home passion. Because of this arrangement, I’ve been blessed with the opportunity to write, present, and coach on this subject and open up a career path and affinity for helping others that I wouldn’t have seen otherwise. I’ve met many new people, and hopefully had a positive influence on most. Most of these folks I’ve never even met!

I am thankful for the extra time I have in the morning before work, because I am not driving, to spend working on my volunteer activities. I’ve donated over 300 hours of my time this year to charity, compared to last year’s 30 hours. Each extra minute I have not in traffic, not walking to a building, not putting on makeup can become a minute used to help others.

I am thankful for a year in my new role and the ability to continue to be a valued contributor. Distance has not kept me from making an impact. In many cases, I believe the quiet time, comfortable space, and ability to concentrate has made that impact far greater than if I had been in the office.

I am so very, very thankful that I get to work from home each day.