Former Candidate for State Senate Reflects on All She's Thankful For

READING, Mass. - Nov. 20, 2018 - PRLog -- With Thanksgiving this week and reflecting on all I'm thankful for, I'm taking this opportunity to say thank you for the opportunity to run for State Senate in the 5th Middlesex District.  I came into this race late and focused on one day at a time; the first step was getting enough signatures to get on the ballot, then organized a campaign committee and last officially kicked off the campaign. This campaign wouldn't have happened without  the encouragement, love, support and commitment of so many from the community who wanted a change and so many made personal sacrifices for  me and for that I am eternally grateful and thankful.

As small family business owners there was a lot of pressure added to our staff and especially my husband Carlo who was the one to encourage me to run. Carlo you was with me every step of the way doing so much for our family, the business and the campaign. He had three jobs and never skipped a beat. I'm thankful for the opportunity to lean in and run for our daughters Abigail, Sarah and Sofia because for them the lesson was about being the change. As a mother I want to shelter them and make sure this world is the best and safest for them. I'm sad for the hate they witnessed firsthand because of those who didn't want to see me as a person, but instead discriminated based on their own ignorance, however they learned a valuable lesson and because I didn't back down, they won't and they will be amazing women leaders one day.

I'm thankful for the amazing former Wakefield female business owner I met just before I became a business owner and was a lifeline of support to me, a fellow business owner. Because of  Nanci I met Theresa and Ami Ruehrwein Wall. Thank you Nanci for the lasting support even in Heaven as your daughter Ami was the first one to jump in to my campaign and went above and beyond with the official campaign baby, London!

I wouldn't be where I am without  my parents and biggest supporters Elaine and Dennis Calvo, who are Democrats (well my mother is an Independent) they were everywhere and too saw how divided our community is, however reminded me to stay the course and focus on building bridges.  To have our team grow because people believed in me as a person first and then as a candidate was incredibly humbling  so thank you  Chad Smith, Michael Giacalone, Alec Giacalone, Christian Hashem, Rob Tiro, Nick Bonazoli, Heather Marino, Diana Halsey, Denise McCarthy, Eric Boemer and William Boemer, what a team I had in all of you!!

It was a rewarding experience and despite the official results I won because I leaned in and ran and connected with so many people, thank you! It's a lot easier to be a spectator and a social media critic, however to those who have also leaned in, and especially my opponent Jason Lewis and his previous opponent Sam Hammar, thank you. We can only make a change by being the change so for those who supported me, donated and prayed for me thank you, God Bless and wishing you and your family a happy and healthy Thanksgiving!