It’s just after 1 a.m. on Halloween and I’m sitting in my office writing this editor’s note. I’m a night owl so the late nights don’t bother me at all. I’m used to staying awake with my Diet Dr. Pepper and 1980s music blaring (although I do have the soundtrack from “National Treasure” playing right now). Sorry Van Halen, but it’s hard for me to write while I’m belting out “Panama” along with David Lee Roth.
Yes, it’s Halloween night and there are still a few hours to go before my 9-year-old daughter and so many other kids descend upon the neighborhoods in search of candy. I guess nights like this keep all of us in business, huh? Yet in the quiet of All Hallow’s Eve, I’m already thinking about Thanksgiving.
When I was growing up, I used to tell my mom and dad that November 1 was my favorite day of the year. Sounds crazy I know, but I really didn’t like Halloween. I was never one to enjoy getting scared or dressing up in costumes. I honestly don’t think I enjoyed Halloween until my daughter was old enough to trick or treat, so November 1 has always been a good day in my books. Every November, I could count on some great memories being formed, whether it was listening to my two grandpas snore as the football games blared on the TV, or my family getting together to celebrate my birthday (sometimes sticking a candle in a turkey leg when Thanksgiving and my birthday fell on the same day). Over the last eight years, November has also meant a trip to New York for the Greater New York Dental Meeting, and once again this year, I’ll be celebrating my birthday in the Big Apple. It’s something I really consider a blessing. I’m very lucky to be able to work in such a great industry with such great people, and be able to travel to such great places.
Normally, the holidays are a time when all of us take a few moments to reflect on our blessings. I guess I’m doing that as well tonight, and I’d like to share that with you.
· Contrary to what you may think about your children, I have the best kid in the world. Sorry, it’s true. I don’t know of many Editor’s Notes that have gone by without me mentioning my Julia ... and for good reason. She swears she is going to become my traveling buddy in 2009 when the ADA is in Hawaii and the IDS reconvenes in Germany. Her Halloween costume (above) is made up of the things I brought her from my trip to Japan last March. That makes me smile.
· The people I work with at PennWell are the best, bar none. My bosses, Lyle Hoyt and Mark Hartley, are not only good colleagues, but very good friends. I appreciate them more than I can say. My editorial team of Penny Anderson, Ted Anibal, Vicki Cheeseman, Duane DaPron, Carroll Hull, and Meg Kaiser do amazing things to help keep me and our publications on track. Their hard work and dedication really keep our division a well-oiled machine. Our sales team does a great job, and they are all true friends. I’m thankful to look at our staff and just say, “Wow, what a talented, great group of people.”
· So many of you who read this page are friends, and I’m thankful for you. It’s a treat for me to walk down the aisles of a trade show and see so many friends. Lots of you comment to me about an article or an editor’s note, and that means a lot to me. I’ve always loved writing, thinking I could make a difference and have something preserved for generations. It might sound a bit idealistic, but that has been my thought ever since the sixth grade.
· I’m blessed to live in the United States. I’m blessed to have a family that always told me I could do whatever I believed I could do. I’m blessed to work in the dental industry. Bottom line ... I’m blessed.
I hope you and your family have a wonderful holiday season. I also hope you take a few moments to count the blessings you have in your life. Thank you for being a part of my world and for being a part of my blessings. I’m looking forward to seeing you at a trade show soon.
Read on, this is your magazine...
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