Together in Thanks: What Fills Our Hearts with Gratitude
- Holly Murdoch
- 20 hours ago
- 6 min read
Updated: 49 minutes ago
As November brings its gentle reminder to slow down and reflect, we find ourselves embracing this year’s theme, Together in Thanks. At Dallas 24 Hour Club, gratitude is more than a seasonal acknowledgment. It is woven into the everyday moments that shape our community. It is in the courage of a Resident taking their first steps toward a new life, the compassion of a volunteer offering support, and the commitment of staff who show up faithfully with open hearts and steady hands.
Every person at The 24 plays a role in creating a place where second chances take root. And while each day brings its own set of challenges, it also brings countless reminders of why our mission matters. Our team witnesses hope rekindled, confidence rebuilt, and lives transformed. These moments fill our hearts with gratitude in profound and personal ways.
In that spirit, we asked our staff to share what fills their hearts with gratitude this season. Their reflections, honest and heartfelt, speak to the strength of this community and the beauty of recovery.
Here is what they had to say.
What fills my heart with gratitude is that Dallas 24 Hour Club offers a community of people who all have the same goal in common, to create a strong foundation in recovery by engaging in 12-step meetings, sponsorship, and restored family connections for sustainable sobriety.
Dawn L., Women's Program Manager
Today, I am grateful for grace, another shot at life, and great family & friends that have come into my life as a direct result of coming into the old 24 back in 2012. I'm grateful that people have a place to start over that is safe, sober, and gives them the same shot that I received.
Tim G., CEO
I'm grateful for the tiny arms that wrap around my neck every day; for a husband who still feels like home after all these years; for a job that lets me witness the kind of miracles most people never get to see -- someone walking out of homelessness and addition into a brand new life; and for big, imperfect family who never lets any of us fall too far.
Holly M., Communications Manager
Today, I am grateful for the new life I've been given in sobriety. And not just a new life, but the ability to restore friendships and relationships I had burned up in my addiction. On my birthday, I heard from my old best friend, who thought I was dead because it had been so long since she'd heard anything about me. We cried together, and have been texting and talking since she reached out. It is a blessing today to have the ability to bring peace to those I hurt in addiction by simply living a functional life.
Ladona C., Assistant Women's Program Manager
My heart is full of gratitude because God’s mercies are new every day. We all mess up, but each day begins with a clean slate.
Audrey S., Philanthropy Associate
I feel grateful to be part of a team that brings so much good to people and our community.
Jason H., Facilities Manager
What fills my heart with gratitude is, waking up everyday being able to be of service to others, being able to be myself, having a connection with family and making new friends, making spiritual progress everyday, living on this beautiful planet and having fun times.
Terrence S., Phase 1 Men's Liaison
I am deeply grateful that The 24 exists in our community and that I get to be a part of it! I know of no better place to observe true humility, compassionate accountability, and miraculous growth. The 24 is not a money-making machine in the recovery industry; it's a community of real people who receive real solutions for real change.
Kristen E., Development Coordinator
What fills my heart with gratitude? Family returned to my life, and family found with The 24, who carried faith for me when mine was gone. Your check-ins, truth, hugs, and hope brought me home. Together, we made second chances into new chapters. I stand here because we walked together.
Mikhael C., Tillman House Program Manager
What fills my heart with gratitude? In short, The 24. From the Residents I get to know and become a part of their journey in recovery, to the staff that has become a second family to me. Seeing people from all walks of life come together as a whole functioning and caring community is amazing to me. And getting to have a little part in all of it truly fills my heart with gratitude.
CJ M., The Hubcap Café Kitchen Supervisor
My heart is filled with gratitude for the opportunity to help others. The work we do at The 24 gives my life so much purpose — watching someone rebuild their life, rediscover their hope, and step into a new chapter is one of the greatest joys I know. I love being a voice for those who can’t share their story, raising awareness, and helping debunk the misconceptions about addiction. There is nothing more fulfilling than pouring time and energy into helping others become the best version of themselves - especially when you get to see them shine.
Adrienne S., Development Director
As I was thinking about the disease of addiction to drugs and alcohol and how I've been given a chance to recover, I thought about how unique the 24 is. So many other alcoholics and addicts never experience something like this. Possibly because they haven't been to the depths that we have. They never needed a place like this. For those of us who do need it, I don't think we often think enough about the ones that never get the chance we do. If this place didn't exist, there's really know way to know where any of us would be. For that I am grateful.
Josh E., Auxiliary Programs Coordinator
What fills my heart with gratitude is knowing that even though I work from home, the work I do still helps change lives. Being in recovery myself, The 24’s mission means so much to me. Every task I complete reminds me that I’m part of something bigger, helping others find the same hope and healing that once found me.
Brittny B., Accounting Manager
The 24 has guided me toward my purpose in life and has been instrumental in shaping the strong, meaningful relationships I now cherish. For that, I am forever grateful.
Christian C., Men's Tillman House Liaison
I am grateful for the gift of sobriety, which has allowed me to become the mother I always dreamed of being to a son whom doctors once said would be nearly impossible to conceive, let alone carry to term. I want nothing more than for others to experience the blessings that come with recovery, which is why I am overwhelmingly thankful that our Residents at The 24 have been led to an environment brimming with people God is working through to make that possible.
Erin W., Administrative Assistant
My heart is full of gratitude for the life that I am living now. In my alcoholism, I was living a life of despair and chaos. I do not spend my day focusing on the next drink. I am grateful that when I wake up, I do not have to worry about what disaster I am going to wake up to after drinking all night. Now, I get to be a trusted, responsible person who is no longer leaving wreckage. I am grateful that, due to my sobriety, I can take care of the two dumbest cats in DFW- Derp and Dingus
Lisa M., Business Operations Manager
What fills my heart with Gratitude is the journey I began at
Dallas 24 Hour Club. Over 10 years ago, The 24 welcomed
me with open arms, and it became the turning point in
my life. The people I have met here, once strangers, have now become a family and have given me a home away from home. Their support and kindness continue to inspire Gratitude in me every day. Today, I am blessed to pass that same gift on to others and watch their new families grow.
Joe S., Operations Director
I am grateful to have two families now that I have gotten sober. My relatives are one, and the community around the Dallas 24 Hour Club is the other.
Eric M., Safety Officer
I am grateful for the new life, structure, and responsibilities The 24 has given me. Most importantly, I’m grateful for the people I’ve encountered here at The 24 that have pushed me to become the person I am, and because of that, I have great things in my life!
Austin R., Phase 2 Men's Liaison and Safety Officer
