Thankful Thursdays

Every time I’m around them, BAM! Perspective hits me like a ton of bricks. “Taper down that whining and complaining, Connie,” screams that voice in my head.

Today I want to give a big shoutout to someone who constantly blows me away—my colleague Ian and his amazing mom, Halli. They’re a powerful reminder of what true strength and determination really look like.

Ian’s one of those people who just doesn’t quit. He recently graduated from Harvard and passed the bar, which is a huge accomplishment on its own. But what really gets me isn’t just the academic stuff (though that’s super impressive). It’s how he handles life. Pure grit, grace, and a mindset that lifts everyone around him. And right there with him is his rockstar mom, Halli, a steady and equal force in his journey.

But wait, there’s more. In his efforts to acclimate to life in Miami, Ian’s well on his way to learning Spanish. At this rate, he’ll be speaking Spanglish like a true local. ¡Dale!

Here’s a link to his journey if you want to be inspired too. I highly urge you to click:  No Sad Stories (Ian Malesiewski)

Thank you, Ian and Halli, for showing us all that no challenge is too big and that heart and hope can carry us through anything.

Friends and family, what are you thankful for today?

Until next Thursday’s post…si Dios quiere.

[Note: In case you are not Spanglish-speaking, “si Dios quiere” means God-willing. Mom finished most of her sentences with that phrase. After her passing, I added it to my sendoff in her honor.]

“Strength does not come from physical capacity. It comes from an indomitable will.”
-M. Gandhi

“Behind every young child who believes in themselves is a parent who believed first.”
-M. Jacobson

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