Thanks and Love
Thanksgiving is more than just gathering around a big table of food with a giant turkey or ham at the center. It is an expression of gratitude or giving thanks for the many blessings and favors that have occurred. Dellanee and Erin both have so much to be thankful for this season. Here’s a taste of what the MaltShop Crew is thankful for this year.
Dellanee
The biggest blessing that has come across my life this year was The Maltshop and my business partner, Erin. I have known her for about three years now, and I have learned an enormous amount of marketing & social media strategy skills by being her intern. I have always admired her ambition and helpful spirit. I could not have asked for a better business partner, because it is never about what you know. It is about WHO you know, and I am one thankful person.
I am thankful for others, as well. My family and friends have always been supportive of me wanting to do design & art since the moment mom brought me into this world. I will never forget their reactions when I proposed starting my creative agency with Erin. They always said I would become a Creative Director. I just never expected it would be this soon. My former professors at Centenary College and Louisiana Tech University also play a big part in this mix. I got to be under their wings within seven years, watching and learning everything they could have taught me about being a creator. Every day I grew a bigger passion for my field because they were so in love with it. My former students at Louisiana Tech that I got to TA were an inspiration in this process also. Watching them succeed and developing the most original and outstanding work that I have ever witnessed in a classroom pushed me to go above and beyond with my talents. There is so much more that I want to do for communities, organizations, and people in general that I never know where to start. I just go because, like those students — they never know where they are going to end up, but at least they are going to have a damn good time on the way.
That is what I plan to do with the Maltshop. Thank you. ~ D
Erin
Family (and friends)
Children (mine or total strangers’ kids)
Pets (mine or total strangers’)
Camaraderie and Laughter
Family - Everyone always says they are thankful for their family but few go into great detail about what they means.
For me family isn’t just blood relatives. It’s the people in your life who have your back no matter what. The people you don’t talk to or physically see for months but when you do, it’s life-giving and like nothing changed. I have a number of those people in my life. From elementary school friends in New York to past coworkers with busy lives who live less than a mile away, I appreciate you. Your smile and laughter when I think of or see you, bring me so much joy!
My blood and semi-blood family are always there to ground me and remind me that I used to have a small-town country twang. ;-) I love them dearly and would do most anything for them. (This weekend my grandparents are actually moving in with me. So yeah, I’d do anything for them.)
Children - Obviously my kids are the coolest and best, but I love all kids, y’all. Seeing their wide-eyed wonder and excitement over something silly is really just the essence of joy in my book. It’s contagious. I wish I could bottle that kind of pure joy and give everyone on earth a jar. It’s literally the best thing.
Pets - When I’m having a bad day, my husband knows that taking me to the pet store to pet random animals is the easiest way to turn my frown upside down. I love the way pets comfort us without any knowledge or care as to what made us unhappy. They just want to be with us and ensure our happiness.
Camaraderie and Laughter - These two go together for me. I’ve always felt that sharing a laugh with someone - whether you know them or not - is the best way to build camaraderie. Maybe that’s why I’m such a goofball. I love to see people having a good laugh and smiling. Their joy gives me joy and it makes me thankful to be a human. It inspires me to be a better person for the sake of building more friendships and spreading more laughter and love everywhere I go.
So, basically, I’m thankful for each and every person and pet and laugh and smile that has every entered my life. It really has made me who I am and each one inspires me daily.
Thanks and love from the MaltShop Fam! Happy Holidays!