2021 Team Reflections
Christina and Brian Hammrich
We keep thinking that life is going to slow down and every year we keep being proven wrong…2021 was no different. We gained a second granddaughter, but lost two family members. We strengthened relationships with our children, created new relationships with nieces, nephews and friends and we grew even closer to each other. We travelled around the country, visiting new places for the first time and other places for a second time. We invested much but the return was twice as great!
Each professional challenge in 2021 was not faced alone, but with the HIS Sign team at our side. They gave us confidence, flexibility and the knowing that things are going to be OK. This group of individuals, our second family, have helped to make life much easier. They’ve helped us carry the weight of burdens and have lifted our spirits when we were down.
We were blessed by friends, family and circumstances that allowed us to see the good in the world that is sometimes hard to see and as we look back on 2021, we will remember the faces of those that have impacted our lives, those that have helped us to overcome loss, those that have brought us a joy that transcends the situations of life we have found ourselves in.
Ilene Brenneman
I am grateful for my family especially for my 1-year-old granddaughter, Amelia. I love being a mom but being a Lola has given me a different purpose in life. Fridays are very special to Craig and I because we travel to Philadelphia to babysit our sweet girl. Watching Amelia grow this past year has been pure joy. I am extremely grateful that Craig and I experience this together every Friday. My son, Derek, also moved to Philadelphia and lives 1 mile from my daughter, Hannah. I am thankful my kids live close to each other and support each other. My goal for 2022 is to have more down time, take better care of myself and to spend as much time with Amelia.
Kathleen Gregory
2021 has been quite the year! It was our first full year of being General Store owners in Vermont. We had our first ice cream season and had had fun trying to learn how to navigate our new life! I started my first garden and began working on adding to our little farm. My little sister and her husband returned to the US from Japan and temporarily moved in with us, our first time being with each other in over seven years. We also got to spend a lot of time with our nieces, which has been one of the greatest gifts. I am so thankful to work for HIS Sign. I am so happy I have had the opportunity to spend in-person time with some of the team this year.
In 2022, we hope to begin to travel again. We have tentative plans to go to South Korea! We want to explore more of New England with our dogs.
Amber Haynes
This year, I am beyond grateful for so many things. My greatest accomplishment this year is joining the HIS Sign Team. To be part of such an amazing company is a true blessing and I feel rewarded daily. I am also grateful for my health, my amazing husband, and my sweet daughter! We just celebrated 5 years together as a family. This year I perfected a few recipes including a Tres Leche Cake YUM! Luckily, I do not live with regrets, and this year was full of a lot of positives for our family. However, I am looking forward to picking up more hobbies in 2022. I would love to start crafting, reading, and taking more time for myself this year. I would also like to travel more with my family and create more lasting memories. My goal for 2022 is to grow more in my career and to stick to my health goals!
Chris Stein
I am so grateful again to work another year for such an amazing company with great people that really work hard to make a difference for the community that we serve. My wife and I accomplished our goal, we bought a house in Raleigh, NC and believe it’s the perfect place to raise our child and fits our outdoors lifestyle.
Overall, 2021 was a good year, did not think we would still be dealing with COVID but at least we are making progress and slowly getting normalcy back. I do not have any regrets this year but wish I would have accomplished some personal goals that I had set for myself such as exercising more. The end of 2021 was a bit rough, our almost 3-year-old French Bulldog Bronx, got sick with a spinal nerve issue and passed away.
My goals for 2022 is to spend as much time possible with my family, travel, and help my wife start her small side business.
Matt Peev
This year put a lot of strain on people, and at times I felt the outlook to be so bleak. As a person that tries to see the brighter side in life, I wanted to do my best to thrive this past year both professionally and personally. At time it was difficult, but I wanted to do my best to be that positive influence on our kids, family, friends, and colleagues. Our company has grown exponentially. We have added a lot of new staff to support the growing needs of our clients. On a personal level, I did my best to organize continuous outdoor activities for neighborhood kids so they can have an outlet. I found myself grilling a lot, and providing meals for neighbors that were quarantining or simply overwhelmed in life. This year also gave us the opportunity to travel a bit more domestically and seeing this wonderful country of ours. In general simply smiling and saying “hi” to people, can sometimes turn their day around! I am extremely grateful for a caring wife and family, and for such a supportive team here at HIS Sign. Past goals have been to volunteer more, and I wish that I had done more of that, and I do hope I become more aware of opportunities for myself to give back.
What does 2022 have in store for us all? I believe HIS Sign can play a bigger role in supporting the deaf and interpreting community. I am hopeful for a return to more international travel as we have not seen certain family members in several years, and are cautiously optimistic this will be the year.
Wishing everyone a wonderful holiday season! End the year strong, and make 2022 the best it can be for yourself and others!
Monica Lee
Can’t believe another year has gone by and we are getting ready to embark on a NEW YEAR!?!
As I take a moment to look back on 2021, what sticks out the most is how my family stuck by each other through all the bad times. And believe me, we had some UGLY ones, but God always delivers and protects. I am so grateful for my husband who works tirelessly each and every day, my children, our health and my HIS Sign Family!
In 2022, I am hoping to take some time for myself to relax and just slowdown from the rat race. I plan to create a reading corner in my home and catch up on some books on my list. Check back with me later in the year and see where I am with this (would love the accountability)!
I wish you all the most prosperous and the happiest New Year!
Melanie Blue
Personally, 2021 was a rough year for me and my family. In January, I cared for my aunt battling breast cancer until her death. It was the hardest thing I have ever experienced. However, my heart was full of love as we received so much support. My family, friends, congregation, and HIS Sign family were there for me every step of the way. While I miss her tremendously, I am strengthened by my faith and hope for the future. This experience reinforced within me the value of family and the importance of never taking a single day for granted. So that is my outlook for 2022. I want to continue to focus on the people I love and be there for them. But to do that, I need to take care of myself, so I am going to focus on self-care. I am also going to pursue a goal I have had for a long time of taking piano and singing lessons. I already have lessons booked. My husband and I will continue to explore activities such as hiking and trying wineries in our area.
Professionally, I am proud that I was able to take cued speech classes and passed the written VQAS for ASL. While I love my role as the Project Specialist, I hope to expand my skills in line with the amazing services that HIS Sign provides.
Looking forward to focusing on growth, health, and happiness.