As Thanksgiving approaches, the Slingshot team is hitting pause on our usual blogs to reflect on something that doesn’t make a product or design but definitely fuels it: gratitude.
We asked our big kids and daredevils to share what they’re thankful for: no filters, no formatting. Just the things that make life (and work) better. What followed was a wonderfully chaotic, thoughtful, and hilarious outpouring of appreciation. It ranged from dogs and dad jokes to coworkers and cookies.
Here’s what emerged from our wall of thankfulness, grouped by theme and proudly authored by the team.
Summary
Gratitude takes the spotlight as the Slingshot team shares what really fuels their work: dogs, coworkers, cookies, and everything in between. A lighthearted and heartfelt look at the people, pets, and moments that make life better.
Dogs, Of Course
Dogs may not write code or review bugs, but they show up in their own way: loyal, goofy, and always ready to brighten the day. It’s no surprise they were among the most frequently mentioned sources of joy. Whether it’s the comfort of a familiar tail wag or just the presence of a furry sidekick during Zoom calls, our pups keep us grounded.
Michael Thornberry: “I’m thankful for dogs because they make me laugh without really trying.”
Simple and true. The best comedians in our lives rarely speak at all.
Savannah: “I’m thankful for Otis because he’s my sweet dog who’s always happy to see me.”
Otis is basically Savannah’s unofficial assistant. Always right behind her in Zoom calls, ready to get to work!
Jem: “Thankful for my Benjamin because he makes my day and is funny as heck.”
We love a dog with personality. Benji is the kind of coworker we’d all love to have on a tough day.
Work and Slingshot
Amid the code and deliverables, we’re all aware that who you work with often matters more than what you’re working on. Slingshot is made up of curious, kind, and brilliant people, and that’s something to be thankful for.
Savannah: “I’m thankful for Slingshot because I get to work with brilliant, passionate people.”
That’s not just lip service. This place is full of thinkers, doers, and the occasional dad-joke enthusiast.
Jem: “Thankful for having a job because it provides my needs.”
There’s power in simplicity. Stability and purpose are underrated forms of gratitude.
Nathan: “I’m thankful for Savannah for running the standups so nobody else has to.”
Authentic leadership is invisible when done well, and sometimes also saves us from awkward silences.
Michael Thornberry: “I’m thankful for Dan Harrigan, whose life makes me feel much better about my own.”
Dan is famously accident-prone, and his stories keep all of us laughing. Every team needs a Dan!
Nathan: “I’m thankful for Doug because without him, I’m the only weird long-haired guy in the office.”
Solidarity in style. Also, a reminder that hair can be community, too.
Family and Friends
As much as we love what we build together, nothing compares to the time we spend with the people who know us best. Family and friends are the constant, and this year, they got a heartfelt shout-out from the team.
Whitney: “I’m thankful for time spent during holidays with the family because as I get older, I don’t see them as much.”
This one hit home for a lot of us. Life moves fast, but we try to slow down when it matters most.
Geoff: “Thankful for family.”
Simple, honest, and universal. No qualifiers needed.
Jem: “Thankful for family and friends.”
Friends who become family, and family who understand what we do at work. That’s gold.
The Little Things
Gratitude doesn’t have to be grand. It can be a TV show that gives you joy after a long day, or a video game that helps you unwind. These small joys often carry more weight than we realize.
Jem: “Thankful for health.”
This submission is one of those things we only appreciate when it’s challenged. A grounding reminder.
Savannah: “I’m thankful for my Switch because I can play video games from anywhere.”
Whether it’s Pokémon or Mario Kart, sometimes a virtual adventure is the perfect reset.
Jem: “Thankful I can bake because it’s my stress-reliever.”
And our stress-reliever is when baked goods magically appear in the office. More cookies, please!
Whitney: “I’m thankful for reality TV shows because they bring me joy.”
Nothing wrong with a bit of drama that isn’t ours. Real Housewives, we see you.
Jem: “Thankful for small things we forget to be grateful about.”
The unsung heroes of our day: working light bulbs, coffee, Slack not crashing. This one speaks for all of them.
Brad: “I’m grateful for dad jokes because they’re the best way to see the ultimate teen eyeroll.”
The gift that keeps on groaning.
ChatGPT, Too
In a very Slingshot twist, Nathan asked ChatGPT what it was thankful for. And the results were… shockingly relatable.
“I am thankful for Wi-Fi because without it, I’d essentially be a very expensive imaginary friend.”
“I am thankful for typos because they keep my job interesting.”
“I am thankful for people who ask what I’m thankful for because it makes me feel included, even though I’m basically a cloud wearing glasses.”
Somehow both poignant and unsettling. Just the way we like our AI!
Thank YOU!
This blog wasn’t just a fun internal exercise. It’s a reflection of what we’ve built together. At Slingshot, we care about each other not just as coworkers but as humans. We show up, we laugh, and we stay curious. Whether it’s our dogs, Otter AI, or over-the-top cookie deliveries, gratitude here isn’t a once-a-year checkbox. It’s part of our rhythm.
To our team: thank you for being the reason Slingshot is more than a workplace. You bring the creativity, loyalty, weirdness, and humor that make this crew so one-of-a-kind.
To everyone: we hope you have a restful, laughter-filled holiday. From all of us at Slingshot, Happy Thanksgiving!
Written by: Savannah Cherry
Savannah is our one-woman marketing department. She posts, writes, and creates all things Slingshot. While she may not be making software for you, she does have a minor in Computer Information Systems. We’d call her the opposite of a procrastinator: she can’t rest until all her work is done. She loves playing her switch and meal-prepping.
