This ain’t your typical cheesy corporate Thanksgiving message…

By Brett Lloyd Abbott, Pool Builder Marketing LLC

It’s Thanksgiving week here in the United States, and first thing yesterday (Monday) morning, I already had several of the typical cheesy corporate “Happy Thanksgiving” messages waiting in my inbox.

Don’t get me wrong, I’m not anti-Thanksgiving, and I’m certainly not anti-“giving thanks”. But somehow, first thing Monday morning didn’t feel like the right time for mostly-hollow well-wishes. Wednesday afternoon on the other hand, right before Thanksgiving, now that would have been fine. But on Monday morning, when I’m trying to focus on business, it felt a little out of place.

Having said that, I still want to thank YOU for being a loyal follower of my newsletters.

I am reminded that we always have something to be thankful for, and I am thankful for you.(Especially due to some recent family news.)

It was exactly one week ago today that I lost my stepfather.

91 years old, and a veteran of World War II, he was actually in excellent shape until recently, when a semi-routine operation didn’t work out so well. A surprise and shock for all of us, but it’s often news like this that reminds all of us to be thankful for who we’ve met, who we know, what we’ve experienced, and so many more great things in life.

My stepfather wasn’t a marketing person. But he was charming. And I dare say that “charm” may well be the epitome of Marketing and Salesmanship. And that’s something else I’m thankful for.

With that, let me offer you a pleasant thanksgiving, even if it does sound a little corporate-cheesy.

PS – If you’re wondering about the man in a suit and tie, sitting on a horse, that would be my charming stepfather going out of his way to charm and impress an out-of town visitor. If you’re not from Texas, you might not appreciate the simplicity of this.

As he was headed towards his meeting, he noticed a ranch nearby. So he walked up to the rancher and asked him if he could borrow his horse for a little while. The rancher said “fine,” which just goes to show you how charming he was. And yes, the out-of-town visitor was duly impressed.