Gratitude Part II

Wednesday I had to be in Los Angeles to support a school.  It was one of those Savage Inequalities moments in which the most amazing teachers were trying to fundamentally change the culture of at-risk students and all the world has to offer them is a set of dilapidated buildings and crappy technology.  While my heart was breaking for them, I am pretty hopeful the kids are going to get the heck out of that place because the right people are there to make a difference for them.

So Steve decided to make a Disney date and come down with the kids to meet me in Anaheim after work.

It was one of my "work perk" moments in which I felt that, even though I missed Casey's karate test (1000 punches and 1000 kicks!) and singing during winter program for Gillian and Bridget, and watching Meg while Steve helped the cub scouts cut out their derby cars, I did my best to leverage my work benefits to buy their love.

Thank you Hilton Honors, for the opportunity to use free points to stay in a double room Queen suite walking distance from Magical Kingdom:

Thank you also for the cookie at check-in, hot and warm, one for each of my little family members (thanks for the one for Meg, it was too much for her and we really enjoyed finishing it off)

Thanks to some colleagues in Washington, D.C., who sent me a professional gift complete with refrigerated packaging and making me look like a hero to my kids:

A few other thanks here and there, but those will come next week after my trip to NYC.

Happy work perks to all!