The holidays are fast approaching and I would like to take this time to wish you all a wonderful holiday season.
As I reflect on the past year, I have come up with the top five things I am most thankful for. They are:
#5 – Having a career that I love for the past thirty one years in which I get to teach people how to play golf;
#4 – Seeing the smile on a frustrated student’s face when they are ready to quit playing, but then hits that perfect shot which brings the most authentic smile I’ve ever seen;
#3 – Living in Charlotte NC and being a part of the Ballanytne Hotel and Lodge team;
#2 – Working with my team at Dana Rader Golf School. In all my years in business, this is by far the best team of teachers and administrative personnel I’ve ever assembled. They are all committed to our mission and vision, and they know that their purpose is all about serving you better; and
#1 – Serving YOU, our loyal students. I am thankful for every single person that has ever been to the school. It is because of you that we celebrate fourteen years at Ballantyne and look forward to the years ahead.
Thanksgiving is a special time to celebrate with family and friends those things we are grateful for. I know that I am most thankful for my Dad who is my hero in many ways. He is 86 years old and a World War II veteran. At the age of 18, he was drafted into the Army, and shortly after training, he was sent to the front lines. He was captured by German Nazi, imprisoned for nine months, and liberated when the war ended. He still remembers vividly all the horror of his near death experiences and the day-to-day loss of lives he witnessed.
When he returned home from the Army, he got married and opened a grocery store called Rader’s which established itself as a very successful brand. My father taught me the value of hard work, customer service, and to do the little things – those tiny details that may not seem to matter, but always do. His love for his trade, his attention to detail, and his strong sense of survival during WWII are just a few of the qualities that impacted my life. I am thankful for him and that he is still here today so that I can tell him how much I love him and that he will always be my hero.
Happy Holidays to you!
All the best,
Dana
