Silent gratitude isn’t much use to anybody. 
-G.B. Stern

When I was a child, our family gathered together on Thanksgiving to be with others from our immigrant community. Often, it was the first and second generation immigrant children who had learned about the holiday from school and their friends. Thus, the tradition passed on, as it has for many immigrants to America. 

This Thanksgiving, things will be a little different. Our family won’t be gathering together. We’re doing our own thing. As the saying goes, absence makes the heart grow fonder. It’s with more than a touch of sadness, but tremendous gratitude, that I reflect back on decades of family gatherings at this time of year. I also recognize that not everyone is so lucky. 

I am deeply reflective and aware of the hardships that this year has brought. In our circle of friends and family, people have unexpectedly passed on, struggled with illness, or dealt with economic loss. We’ve watched families make big decisions, in some cases reconfiguring to be closer to each other. In other cases, relationships have ended. 

I have deep gratitude for healthcare workers, grocery store employees, and delivery drivers. I also have compassion for those who are struggling with mental illness or the emotional challenges of living alone, isolated from each other. This has been a very tough year for so many. 

In the real estate world, the market has shifted dramatically. The place we spent some of our time has become the place we spend nearly all of our time. This creates an awareness of limitations – proximity to neighbors, not enough space, not enough places to work and study – which has shifted demand. For some, work from home also means work from anywhere, and many took advantage of that opportunity to relocate. A global pandemic that creates a surge in real estate demand would certainly never have crossed my mind as a possible scenario for 2020. Yet, here we are. 

At House Einstein, I’m deeply grateful for the opportunity to coach and mentor three new team members this year. I’m also deeply grateful for the business relationships we’ve nurtured over many years. They’ve proven resilient during these uncertain times. 

Finally, I’m grateful for the opportunity to serve you. Whether you’re a client, colleague, or curious bystander – we appreciate the opportunity to be of service. Thank you and Happy Thanksgiving.  

-Osman Parvez

Osman Parvez  is the Founder and Employing Broker of House Einstein. Originally from the Finger Lakes region of New York, he lives in Boulder with his wife and their Labrador Retriever. He has been a Realtor since 2005.


Osman is the primary author of the House Einstein blog with over 1,200 published articles about Boulder real estate. His work has also appeared in many other blogs about Boulder as well as mainstream newspapers, including the Wall Street Journal and Daily Camera. For more information, click HERE.

Fresh Listings | Our review of the most compelling new listings to hit the Boulder real estate market.| Subscribe

Thinking about buying or selling and want professional advice?  Call us at 303.746.6896. Your referrals are deeply appreciated.  

The ideas and strategies described in this blog are the opinion of the writer and subject to business, economic, and competitive uncertainties. House Einstein strongly recommends conducting rigorous due diligence and obtaining professional advice before buying or selling real estate.