Welcome to our annual Thankful article, where the Aux Team shares what they are grateful for.
2021 has been a rollercoaster. Between the election, COVID, vaccines, back to work policies, the economy, weather, housing, loans, deposits…we are all feeling a bit like Ron Burgundy from Anchorman: “I’m in a glass case of emotion!”
Here’s what we are thankful for in 2021, a year of great change and metamorphosis. From all of us at Aux, a very special thank you to our readers, clients, collaborators, and partners.
Doug Burke, President/CEO
My recent hike in the mountains with the deep blue sky, changing colors of the Aspen trees and the first snow of the season make me thankful for living in Colorado.
Gaye DeCesare, VP of Compliance
I am thankful for the life and legacy of Joseph Thomas DeCesare, my amazing, brave, sensitive, creative, funny, brilliant, much-loved son. Joe passed away on August 19, 2021, after living with cancer for 16 years (half his life!). During that time, he never wasted a moment feeling sorry for himself or worrying about dying. He was focused on living – really living! – the life he was given, and he set the bar very high for the rest of us. Being his mom and caregiver wasn’t always easy, but it was an honor and a privilege for which I am eternally grateful.
Makalya Person, Accountant I
This year I’m very thankful and appreciative of my husband for starters. He is the most amazing father to our son, patient, understanding and just the best friend a girl could have during the best and the worst times. Next, I am grateful to my son for teaching me everyday how to be more patient and how to be a better human being and a better mother. He inspires me so much and I am so grateful to be a part of his world. I’m incredibly grateful to my husband’s family and to my family for being interested in our lives, for being there for us while we live through our 20’s and give us the emotional support all young people really should have. I am also very thankful for my education and my job and to be able to work from home safely, to be guided by such incredible supervisors and coworkers and an amazing CFO. I learn so much working at Aux and it enhances the patience, kindness, and intelligence that I want to display and improve on. Lastly, I am thankful to all the people working to deliver, manufacture, grow etc. so I can have groceries, cleaning supplies, and an environment to thrive in. I sincerely hope for everyone to have good health through our ongoing pandemic. I am so thankful to have all this support from all aspects of my life, and it means so much to me that I can do all the things I can do as a friend, mother, wife, sister, daughter, college student, as a young woman sharing on this earth with everyone.
Rosemary Paddock, VP of Operations/HR
Happy Thanksgiving to all! I have so much to be thankful for; I have been so very blessed.
First, I am blessed with a wonderful husband, children, grandchildren, brother, brother-in-law, nieces, nephews, etc. Family is so important, and I have an amazing one.
And I have been blessed by friends who are more like family; there is nothing they wouldn’t do for us, and us for them.
We have been blessed by staying healthy this year. Minor aches and pains, but nothing worthy of comment or complaining 😊
I am thankful for a job that allows me to work remotely and the wonderful people I work with and for.
I am thankful for the beautiful new home that my husband and I built in Los Lunas, New Mexico. What we call our “last” or “forever” home. It is in a wonderful neighborhood – a great sense of community. We have already made some amazing new friends.
And I am hopeful that “someday” the world will return to “normal” – whatever that will mean in the future.
Wishing everyone a joyous holiday season and Happy New Year.
2021 will be amazing!
Sara Lindsey, Administrative Assistant
I am thankful for many things, large and smaller.
I am thankful for my husband and I’s gainful employment. I am thankful for our ability to care for and nurture our son, who is happy and healthy. I am thankful for my husband and I’s happiness. I am thankful for our pets. For our loving friends and family. For our home. For clean water and fresh air. Those are just a few of the large things that I am thankful for.
Some of the smaller things I am thankful for is my comfortable bed/bedding, a fresh Colorado snow, the sound of my toddler snoring as he sleeps, the peacefulness on his face. The way freshly brewing coffee smells. The crunch of fall leaves under my shoes.
There is so much beauty in life, so much beauty to experience, and that may be the largest thing to be thankful for.
Daniel Nienhaus, Accountant III
I am thankful my family and I are healthy, happy, and thriving. My son turned one year old this year and has officially entered the toddler zone! It is so much fun to watch him grow up; he has changed so much in the last year. I am thankful for my job and the impact it has made on people’s lives. In a year where most of the world has experienced downfall, my family and job are doing great which I am so grateful for. There have been so many challenges we have faced in this past year but have continued to learn and persevere through it all.
Donna Thomas, Accountant II
I am so thankful that I was able to recover from having COVID this year.
I am so thankful and blessed that I have a loving family of 2 sons, 1 daughter-in-law and 3 grandchildren that I love with all my heart.
I am thankful I started working this year with such an amazing company.
Trisha Wiggin-Fausnaugh, Director of Shared Branch Operations and Training
I’m grateful for so many things. I’ve been able to spend more time with my wonderful husband. We celebrated our 41st Anniversary in May. I’m thankful that I got to see my family more this year, and that everyone is healthy. I’m lucky to work for a company that is supportive of its employees’ health and believes in a work/life balance. I have a bunch of warm and friendly co-workers and clients who make my job a joy. I’m a lucky person and I have a lot to be thankful for.
Alicia Disantis, Brand Manager
This year, I am thankful for my health and the amazing things my body can do. 2021 was hard on my lungs. I got COVID in late February and it took months to get back into running – I felt like I was going mad! As soon as I recovered, Denver was hit with record-breaking poor air quality for months on end (we even ranked most polluted air in the WORLD for a few days.) As a runner, I was constantly checking the air quality app to sneak a run in when the meter dipped from red to orange. You don’t realize how much the most basic of all things – like air – can be taken for granted. I am grateful for how hard my body and mind work and will continue to treat them well as long as I am able!
Ambrosia Woodard, Accountant II
I’m thankful to be working for a great company as well as being a part of a team of great people. I’m also thankful for all of my friends and family being safe throughout COVID.
Diana Garcia, Partner Care Specialist
I am thankful for the wonderful team I work with and being able to work in a safe environment.
I am also thankful for mine and my family’s health and safety because of the research and help of all the Doctor’s and front-line medical workers.
Jennifer Davis, Senior Financial Analyst
I’m thankful that my family, friends (including my sweet dog Thumper) and me are happy and healthy. I’m also thankful to live in the beautiful state of colorful Colorado.
Tim Tibbals, VP of Data Analytics
My thankful article…in the form of a Haiku
- Mountains of pure green
- Deep oceans of vibrant life
- Air for us to breath
