Happy Thanksgiving 2010

Okay, here it is…a stroke before midnight, the annual RazFamily Thanksgiving video.

This one is a bit more…casual, and slap-dash, but we’re going to let it go anyways. It really is purely an outtakes version, was hoping for something a bit more sincere and thoughtful but it just didn’t happen that way. And I didn’t get the participation of Erica or Royce/Zoe, but we had so many people at the house it was a bit chaotic and not optimal studio environment. πŸ™‚ So, again, this is outtakes people. Outtakes. Not me in everyday every moment life.

Anyways, Happy Thanksgiving to everybody. And, by the way, when you get a heritage/free range Turkey (like we did) it is a BIT easier to understand how I did what I did, which you’ll see at the end of the video. Too much explaining will ruin the silly surprise.

So there it is, from the RazFam to yours–best to each of you!

-Raz, Erica, Royce, and Zoe

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Happy Thanksgiving

thanksgiving-morning-sunrise

Today’s one of my favorite holidays.

In fact, as I think about it, it is my favorite. And the reason for me is simple: it’s about gratitude. And the fact that good food accompanies it doesn’t hurt, either.

Many other holiday events and the meaning of are clouded with other distractions, and while this one isn’t an absolute exception there’s something consistent about Thanksgiving that’s not diluted by presents, ghosts or goblins, or Sunday dresses.

This morning I woke up to a spectacular sunrise, after a great night of Korean BBQ with the family and a night of watching Star Wars (episode 3) and falling asleep altogether in bed during the movie.

thanksgiving-eve-korean-bbq

This morning as I was drinking my favorite coffee (Kenyan blend from Stumptown in Portland–literally the best place for a cup of brew in the States, IMO) I was listening to Erica read to Royce and Zoe about the Pilgrims trip to the States and landing at Plymouth Rock. I thought I remembered this story pretty well from years past, but I’ll admit I learned more than I expected while overhearing as I prepared the turkey today (quick tip: overnight brining is, I think, the secret to amazing turkey).

What struck me was the short-term commitment, and at times hardship, that our forefathers (and foremothers, even though I’m not sure our political-correctness has gotten quite that far since I’ve not heard this term used yet–maybe I’m progressively the first?) experienced in order to get the gift of greater freedom and independence.

In hearing the story there were just so many parallels to our business but also reminders of gratitude for life. The parallels were simple, in that our ancestors and relatives, regardless whether they came over on the Mayflower or through Ellis Island (as my ancestors did) or via another path, each sought something better. Another life, and a form of, well, renewal I guess.

The parallels for me between then and our life at Univera?

1. The pilgrims saw something better and didn’t just hang around waiting for it to come to them, instead they took action and did something about it. And part of it was a leap of faith.

No question I still have many Lithuanian and English relatives who didn’t dare to take the journey towards this other type of freedom. And sometimes I wonder what their life, freedoms, and privileges were/are like compared to the grace and abundance we’ve experienced.

2. It required both continual commitment and some sacrifice along the way.

So it wasn’t just a leap of faith and a heck of a long (and probably very tough) ship ride over, but it required a continual commitment to sustain and develop this into the land of freedom and opportunity for all. Without going into detail, the first few years of newfound life to the States wasn’t exactly a joyride at each moment. But it was rewarding and worthwhile.

Without getting too deep into it, those two things struck me as symbolic and something that’s also relatable.

Thanksgiving is such a great holiday, it’s simple and often filled with family (though it’s been years since we’ve had a full family Thanksgiving reunion, though I have such great memories of childhood where all of us would congregate in Chicago at my Lithuanian grandparents house for extended family get-togethers), and even if it isn’t filled with family, or much of it, it’s a wonderful opportunity to give thanks for all the blessing we’ve received.

Though, somewhat ironically right now as I write about all this gratitude, I’m getting pinged left and right from my kids who want us to get them a cat or dog, they’re writing little signs and posting them up to my left and right–c’mon kids, let’s be thankful for the stuffed animals you have for now. πŸ™‚

Despite the circumstances of almost any of our lives, in the context of both history and also the world, it’s quite incredible the abundance we have. Half of the world lives on $3 a day. Yes, half the world.Β I just poured three times that amount in wine in the bottom of a roasting pan. So I’m not sure any of us should feel guilty on this holiday, rather I do think we should enjoy it, but it’s also a great reminder to me for the incredible gifts we’ve been given–and also what we should be able to give to others throughout the world by sharing in our abundance.

But I’m not sure that’s going to get me off the hook from buying a cat or a dog. πŸ™‚

I trust that this long weekend will be a blessing to each of you. Please know that I’m grateful for your contributions and relationships, as well as to those of your family members who either support you or the business in some way. As my wife reminds me, this really is a family business that requires, at times, the commitment of many individuals.

Happy Thanksgiving to all my Univera family and friends.

No doubts, take Lasix only as prescribed by your physician. Levitra is one of the best-known medications of all date. What is the most significant information you must study about levitra vs cialis? Most doctors say the effectiveness of Levitra is well documented. Absolutely, a sexual problem refers to a problem during any phase of the sexual response cycle that prevents the individual from experiencing satisfaction from the sexual life. Whilst sex is not vital for good health, it’s doubtless important for anyone. Why it happen? What kinds of professionals treat sexual diseases in men? A common class of antidepressants, which include Zoloft — can kill the mood in bedroom.