Thankful

As the turkey’s least favorite time of the year arrives, I reluctantly must face the inevitable truth. Another precious year has passed — and I still have no idea what to get anyone for the holidays.

Each month has its own unique traditions, and November is certainly no exception. It’s the time of the year when our inner pilgrim gives thanks. No matter how miserable the past year has been, if we search hard enough, we’re bound to find a few things that make us fall to our knees to give thanks. Maybe it’s something of a personal nature like, “I’m thankful I only gained 50 pounds this year.” Or maybe it is something more professional like, “I’m thankful I was able to come up with 12 ideas for this column.” Whatever category it falls into, now is the time to show your gratification.

In the spirit of the season, I decided to uncover what it would take to make our peers dish out the candied yams to celebrate. So I reached out to many of my old friends scattered throughout the securities industry and asked each of them the same question: What are you most thankful for this past year? Here’s some of what I heard:

J.A., Head of Compliance at a BD: “I’m thankful Compliance is sexy again.” (Come again?!)

C.C., Mutual Fund Wholesaler: “I’m thankful my boss doesn’t look at my expense reports.”

L.R., VA Wholesaler: “I’m thankful my wife doesn’t look at my expense reports.”

A.G., Retired Fed Worker, Washington, D.C.: “I’m thankful Andrea Mitchell has a thing for older men.”

B.B., Fed Worker, Washington, D.C.: “I’m thankful the old man finally retired.”

P.P., Hedge Fund Manager, Stamford, Conn: “I’m thankful no one can figure out how much money I make . . . until I tell them.”

A.D., Recruiter at an Independent B/D: “I’m thankful for AMEX.”

J.C., CNBC Host: “I’m thankful people like to hear me yell and scream.”

M.B., CNBC Host: “I’m thankful I don’t look like Lou Dobbs.”

E.S., AG of NY: “I’m thankful for mutual fund insider trading.”