Lily Snyder

Why We Should Give Thanks

I always liked Thanksgiving. I enjoy being around so many of my family members. I like listening in on what is going on in their minds and in their lives. My other favorite part of this time of year is the food. Mashed potatoes, turkey legs, pink lady salad, and homemade dinner rolls are my favorite. Don’t forget to layer my plate with desserts. All of them, it’s ok. Don’t be shy. 

One of our holiday traditions is for everyone to go around the table and say what they are thankful for. While sometimes I think, “let’s eat already!” I like hearing what my friends and family are thankful for. It’s a glimpse into their lives that I may not get to see on a normal occasion. 

Since being part of the military with my husband who serves, Thanksgiving has gone a little differently the past few years. We are grateful to have friends invite us over for “Friendsgiving” when we can’t make it back home. We had Friendsgiving this past weekend and it was great. We followed the same tradition of going around the room saying what we are thankful for. It felt good to be surrounded by the warmth of friendship and a special kinship of fellow military families.

I don’t write much about being part of the military life on this blog. Lately, however, I started getting in touch with other military spouses (mil-spouse for short) who write. They share their stories of what it’s like moving every few years, changing schools with the kids, and how they keep their careers going when their spouses are so volatile. 

On The Daily Impressions, I shared why I’m appreciative of the military life. Reading the stories of the other military families made me grateful for what I’ve been able to accomplish during our time in the Army. For many spouses, moving with the military means putting their own careers on hold. Luckily for me, I was already working remotely when my husband and I got married. I lucked out again when I joined a startup based on the principles of remote work. Now, thanks to technology, I’m able to continue my career no matter where we live.

I’m thankful for my friend, Marsya, for introducing me to the military blogging and writing world. Thanks to those connections I was able to meet my goal of publishing a guest post on another blog. You can read them here and here.

Being military has widened my worldview and I’m privileged to be a part of it.

7 Military Families Share Why They Appreciate Being In the Military

2018 gave me a lot to be thankful for. First, and best was that my son was born. He is 9 months old now! I love seeing his personality come out. He pulls himself along on the bathtub and smiles at everyone. He is a true blessing in my life.

This year wasn’t all sunshine and roses. I had to make the tough decision to resign from my startup. I spent two years working on Doghead Simulations but this year I decided it was time to leave. I am thankful for all I learned about building a company from the ground up and knowledge from the people I met along the way. I am also thankful for all the opportunities working in a VR startup gave me. Thanks to Doghead, I have a passion for immersive technology like virtual and augmented reality.

I’m thankful that in the midst of my husband’s crazy work schedule and our son, I was able to travel and speak at Cincinnati Startup Week. It felt so good to be surrounded by people passionate and interested in virtual reality. It was inspiring seeing the other presentations and demos of the latest VR software for business!

Last but certainly not least, I am super thankful for my followers! Lilyotron has 60 followers which is amazing to me. I feel honored that you appreciate my writing enough to tag along for the ride of this tech enthusiast’s life. I hope you continue to find value in this blog. If you’re looking for something specific, please let me know! The year isn’t over yet. I’m sure there will be more to be grateful for before it’s over. In the meantime, I’m going to relax and enjoy the holiday season with my family. Before we know it, 2019 will be upon us. New goals will be set, ambition will be renewed, and different challenges will bring us back into the thick of it.  

What are you grateful for this year? Let me know in the comments below!