Before we (over) indulge in our Thanksgiving meal, fall asleep on the couch while watching football, avoid talking politics with loved ones or make those first Black Friday purchases, the Access team wants to say thank you.

Did you know there are more than 750,000 podcasts and 30 million episodes available for you to listen to? Yes, you heard that right.

Here at Access, we do meetings a little differently. Actually, make that very differently. Rather than rushing straight into the business at hand, we begin most internal calls by sharing what we’re thankful for. That might seem a little unusual, but there are some good reasons:

I look forward to HIMSS every year, but this year was special. Usually, I get to see old friends, visit with our customers that we’ve grown close with over the years, and get a picture of what various tech vendors are pitching right now. And because we are a virtual company, it is one of the few times each year that a big part of our Access team is all together in one place. It’s a great opportunity to re-energize for the year ahead!

This Thanksgiving the thing I’m most grateful for is relationships. Material things and "stuff" tend to get old and we feel like we need something bigger or better in order to make us happy.

While HIMSS week seems to pass by so quickly, memories of the 2017 conference will last throughout the year for several reasons. The first was getting to meet many new prospects and partners. It also was great to catch up with old buddies, some of whom have been going to the show almost as long as our President Mark Johnston (37 years, back when HIMSS was focused on radiology imaging and other non-computer technology) and CTO Chuck Demaree (26 years, with his beard hair showing each year like rings on a giant redwood tree).

My favorite Christmastime memories are small things that still bring a smile to my face. I’m sure you have similar recollections that make you feel warm inside, like drinking a mug of eggnog, when they come to mind. The sight of my family sitting around the living room talking and opening gifts and my dad reminding us of the true reason for the season. My great uncle Jimmy dressing up like an old hobo and sitting down among us—and no one knowing who he was for at least half an hour. My dad giving my mom a golf bag that she wasn’t too thrilled about until she found a bracelet hidden inside. 

Every year in our family, we trade off which grandparents’ house we go to for the holidays. We alternate Christmas and Thanksgiving venues so we can get time with each side of the family. This year, however, things are much different. With a junior at Texas A&M and a senior in high school, there is no “normal” this year for the holidays. And with multiple commitments—from fund-raisers to dog sitting—it’s just not going to be a normal Thanksgiving. For the first time in as long as I can remember, we’re staying home.