aCroSS the Board

Grateful

I’m sitting on a plane as I write this. In a normal year, this would be less than noteworthy as it feels like I’ve spent my entire adult life on a plane coming from or going to somewhere. This, however, is the first plane trip I’ve made in over 18 months.

Heading out to the NAWLA Traders Market, I have to admit I was questioning whether I actually enjoy traveling anymore. How I can reduce my travel and, in fact, whether it’s needed at all given our advancements in technology. I’ve enjoyed having dinner with my family every night and the routine of not juggling all of the balls involved with traveling, running a business, and balancing a family.

As I’m sitting on my return flight home, however, I just feel enormously grateful for so many things. I forgot how the time away brings so many things into perspective both from the alone time, and especially because of those I get to share time with. I saw countless people who I have enormous respect for and shared stories of our time away and our gratitude for getting to see each other again following this odd time in the world.

While I was optimistic for next year, I return grateful to have spoken to so many wise industry leaders who are extremely confident for our industry’s prospects in 2022, and that builds my own confidence moving into our 100year anniversary celebration. I also had the opportunity to bounce a few ideas I’ve been struggling with off of very generous individuals whom I trust completely with the thoughts and advice they shared. I’m grateful to once again be excited about the new opportunities we have to serve the industry in even greater ways!

It was humbling as well. As we walked the aisles, countless people I respect went out of their way to simply say “thank you” as apparently, what we’ve done over the pandemic has served them and the industry well. Words cannot express the emotions this brings up inside of me as we view ourselves simply as servants to this great industry.

And, I’m reminded of the old saying “Absence makes the heart grow fonder” and with me, being away always reminds me of how grateful I am for my amazing family and team. Coming home to my kids racing to give me hugs with excited screams of “Daddy!,” with my wife in pursuit holding that slight knowing smile that says, “I’m glad you’re home” gives me the things that words simply cannot express. As for my team holding down everything in my absence and eagerly asking for updates on all of my “discoveries” so that they too may share in the adventures of my journey? Well, I’m grateful.

Patrick S. Adams

Publisher/President padams@526mediagroup.com

For me, this list could go on forever. Every morning when I wake up, I’m grateful to have another day. Each evening, I’m grateful that I made it through another day and hopefully, did some good along the way. This I’ve found is my secret to having peace and happiness. It’s simple, but not easy. As you go through your day, imagine the alternative to everything. What if it wasn’t there? What if you weren’t needed? What if they didn’t smile when you entered the room? It’s a simple exercise, but not an easy one to remind yourself of every minute.

I cannot forget how grateful I am to each of you in this great industry who have allowed us to serve you. Like most of you, we are wrapping up a record year and look into 2022 with immeasurable excitement about what we have in store! As we celebrate the honor of having served this industry every month for the past 100 years, we are going to use every issue of next year to say “thank you.” Through this history of service, we will share many surprises and trips down memory lane. We will reveal new products, new services, and maybe even a new look that prepares us for the next 100 years because no matter what the world turns into during that time, they will always need the hard working people of the building materials industry, and those people will always need a trustworthy source of news and information to guide their decisions!

I am grateful for the privilege to serve you. I wish all of you, your families, and your teams a wonderful and Merry Christmas! May God bless you all.