Happy Thanksgiving. What we have to be thankful for!

We are about to celebrate Thanksgiving, one of my favorite holidays of the year, perhaps most significantly because of its simplicity.  Unlike Christmas, Thanksgiving celebrates our relationships.  It is a time to get together with family and friends and rejoice in each other.  It isn’t about the decorations or presents under the tree, but it is about sitting around a table and talking about the things we are thankful for.

In that spirit, I want to talk about things I am thankful for.  First I am thankful for PGMC.  This is an amazing organization and one I am most proud to be a part of.  PGMC makes beautiful music together, but it also embraces a commitment to making a difference in our community.  That is definitely something to be thankful for.

I am thankful to the many friends of the chorus who step up and support us through their gift of time, treasure and talent.  PGMC continues to grow because of the support of these valued friends.  Thank you so much for your continued faith in what we do.

To those in positions of leadership – your gift of time continues to make a longlasting difference.  Your insight and thoughtful engagement ensures that this organization can continue to be a positive force for many years to come.

To staff – you are asked to do so much – you give joyously of your time and energy to move this chorus forward.  Your dedication to the growth and stability of this organization is appreciated on so many levels.

To family – you put up with a lot.  My long hours of work, countless evening meetings, and lost weekends during concert weeks couldn’t happen without your support.

To our singers and volunteers – you are PGMC.  We are who we are because of your amazing dedication to bringing our music and mission to life.  For the past 38 years you have been the bedrock of this organization.  We will never be able to say thank you enough!

I hope each and every one of you will take time to express your thankfulness to those who are a part of your life.  Happy Thanksgiving from the Portland Gay Men’s Chorus, may your day be filled with the warm embrace of family and friends.