More than any other month, November is when I look around and appreciate everything I have. Thanksgiving puts the whole country in a reflective mood, and I’m certainly no exception. This year, I’m feeling particularly thankful for the basics: to be surrounded by my family, to be in good health, and to have a roof over my head.

For the first time in a while, Lyn, the kids, and I will spend Thanksgiving with my mom, my sister, and her family here in California. Usually, we go to Maine and pass the day cooking and watching football with Lyn’s mother and sisters, and I always do my part to help get the turkey, mashed potatoes, and stuffing to the table. But this year, we’re staying home. I have to say, I’m really looking forward to being in California and spending time with my family.

More than anything else, Thanksgiving is a time to reconnect with family and feel gratitude for all of the good things we have in our lives. When I was in college, I used to fly out to Tucson on my own every November to keep my grandfather company for the holiday. After my grandmother passed away, I hated the thought of him being alone for Thanksgiving, so I would visit and make sure we had somewhere to go for the big meal. Usually, that meant we’d stop by the house of a family friend or someone from his church. Sometimes we’d supplement the usual celebration with a trip to Nogales, Mexico, just over the border. It was a fun daytrip for both of us, and it always highlighted my grandfather’s generosity. Every time, he’d make sure to bring a lot of change with him, because there would always be kids asking for money when we arrived in Mexico. No matter what his own financial situation was, he’d make sure he had quarters to pass out.

Thinking about those kids reminds me how important my firm’s mission is and how much the work we do for our clients matters. The business is growing, and this past year, we’ve been able to help more people than ever before. It’s no small thing to ensure that someone can stay in their home for the holidays. We don’t always succeed in helping our clients keep their homes, but our goal is that every client who comes through our doors leaves in a better position than when they first entered. We can’t fix everything for everyone, but I’m thankful we have the opportunity to do what we can.

If you’re facing foreclosure or have a real estate litigation issue and are worried about keeping a roof over your head this holiday season, call us today at 510-982-3001 for a free consultation. We’re always ready to help.