Chris Chamberlin, Co-owner The Clean Bedroom
Every day I am thankful for good health, a loving husband, sons who have grown up to be terrific young men, parents still coherent enough to chat by phone, sisters and sisterhoods aplenty, a business that gives me joy each time I walk into the office.
In thinking about my "Thankful" essay, I couldn't get past my list of everyday blessings, until a few days ago.
I realized I am most thankful for the economic downturn. It has changed my life, for the better.
When the market crashed last fall we were forced to face a doomsday scenario for our business, and develop ways to avoid it. We were committed to staying afloat and that meant cutting hours, so everyone could stay employed.
I get choked up thinking about the sacrifices they made, without a grumble or complaint. On the contrary, everyone banded together to help us look for even more ways to cut costs, pay down debt, and market ourselves better.
Today thanks to their efforts and loyalty, we have a healthy balance sheet, a 20% growth rate, and our staff is back to hours that work for them.
Hard times can either bring out the best in people, or the worst. I've seen only the best in everyone I know; peace when a breadwinner lost their job, others taking whatever work is available to bring home the groceries, friends lifting each other up, and a whole lot of prayer.
On a personal level, I've learned what really matters most to me: my faith, having a family to love, friends that stick by your side no matter how bad you mess up, and being debt free.
Joy through adversity, that's what the economic downturn has taught me. And, I'm thankful for the life lesson.
Cool love story, May you be an inspiration to all other couples like you to stay together whatever it takes. Putting God first in your relationship. Great job.
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