Nation’s Service-Employment-Redevelopment Network Invites Us To Express Gratitude
“One of life’s greatest joys is to see a child’s curiosity in action and how they use it to transform the ordinary into a magical experience they call play,” says Ignacio Salazar, SER National President & CEO. “No matter how small or seemingly insignificant the object, place, or setting may be, children possess the innate gift of seeing that moment through their lens of imagination and discovery. As we grow up, the child in us gives way to the adult reality of constantly dealing with challenges, pressures, and expectations. Yet, Thanksgiving allows us to reflect, reset, and really ask ourselves, what are the things in my life that make me the happiest?” he adds.
“Americans often associate happiness with big, expensive material things. Yet the truth is that when we stop to remember the experiences that made us happiest growing up, those moments were not about money. They were times with family, good and not-so-good, but together, hopeful and striving to make life better. We yearn for those feelings, and Thanksgiving gives us a chance to reclaim that simplicity of gratitude and the expressions of love and appreciation for one another,” adds Salazar.
We are grateful to live in a bountiful nation, strengthened by the confluence of our gifts, skills, and experiences. We are also abundantly blessed because our founders foresaw times of trials and tribulations and created the framework for us to endure and prevail. At SER National and our SER Network of Affiliates, we wish to express gratitude this Thanksgiving for the privilege of serving the millions and millions of men and women over our 62 years. They have affirmed the spiritual truth that there is more joy in giving than receiving.
“May we each seek to rediscover thankfulness for the simple and those gifts money cannot buy in life. We send our warmest regards and wishes for a safe, happy Thanksgiving; your hearts full of a child’s joy, and your homes filled with the laughter and love of friends and family. May God bless you,” Ignacio Salazar, SER National President & CEO