Posted: October 26, 06 - 09:13 AM | Category:
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Despite the fact that I live in New England, I’m not particularly fond of winter, or the cold, in general. Having grown up in New Jersey and lived in Florida for a short stint, I prefer a slightly warmer climate.
I know the next four months will be a challenge for me. The air is now crisp. The autumn splendor is winding down. The firewood has been split and stacked (a week later, I’m still sore). The first traces of ice have been spotted. And the juncos have returned once again, apparently finding our winter weather a pleasant alternative to what they would have faced further north.
My wife is from the region. Her family is here. My parents have recently joined us. Like it or not, I have accepted my fate: I am here for the duration.
On the bright side, we have the good fortune of living in a charming, quiet, and rural area, situated in a small valley directly across the street from a Christmas tree farm.
Being in a valley of Christmas trees means several things:
We get to enjoy gentle, rolling hills - especially nice for sleigh riding.
During the holidays, we can simply walk out the front door, saw in hand, and return a short while later with a tree.
And as is the case with most valleys big or small, at the bottom of our little valley is a peaceful, rolling stream, attracting an abundance of interesting wildlife (hawks, beavers, deer, bobcats, fishers, possibly a mountain lion or two). Not to mention the occasional small child.
After walking my first grade son to the bus stop this morning, I allowed myself to be sidetracked on my return trip with a leisurely, reminiscing stroll.
As I walked down the hill, I was reminded of seasons past, and our celebration of the winter solstice which included sledding, snowball fights, a giant snowman and some cheap champagne.
I stopped at the stream, and could see for a moment my two little boys splashing and frolicking in a summer adventure.
Walking through the trees, I could hear the voice of my three old calling to me during a game of hide and seek, “You can’t find me, Daddy!” (He was wrong. I did find him, and he was covered in Christmas tree needles.)
I’ve lived in and travelled around Europe. Been to Disney. Taken cruises around the Caribbean. Seen the Stones at Shea and Springsteen at the Meadowlands. Partied with the best of ‘em (and the worst of ‘em).
But in the end, those things all pale in comparison to the simple, special, everyday moments I am blessed to share with my family in our little nook in the woods.
Yes, even the ones that happen in winter.
Category: People
Posted: July 24, 06 - 09:56 AM | Category:
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Dave wasn’t a bad guy, really. But he did know how to get into trouble.
Fortunately for him, he was smart enough to know he needed to change course or his current path would only lead him to more trouble, prison, or worse.
Lenny was only twenty four, and just a few years older than Dave. A smart guy and a hard worker, Lenny was already the store manager, and on a different path than Dave. But Lenny was going in the right direction.
When Dave responded to the job posting for the assistant store manager vacancy, everyone thought he was just kidding himself. Even he knew it was a long shot, but he also knew he had nothing to lose. But what the hell…
Most people wouldn’t have given Lenny a second thought, “Thanks for stopping by—careful the door doesn’t smack you in the ass on the way out.”
But not Dave.
It occurred to the rising young store manager that maybe he wasn’t all that different from the guy most people thought to be a no-good street punk. Perhaps it was nothing more than a misguided youth and a few bad choices that seperated them?
Although Lenny was aware of Dave’s shady history, as well as his lack of experience and education, Lenny had a hunch that all Dave really needed was a second chance.
So, just as the interview concluded, as Dave was expecting to be escorted off the premises, Lenny asked him when he could start working. Shocked and elated, he started immediately.
For several years, Dave and Lenny worked well together. Dave was grateful for the opportunity, and was a tireless, dedicated employee. And Lenny knew he could count on Dave to hold down the fort when necessary.
But as it turned out, retail store management just wasn’t Dave’s thing. So when the opportunity came up to join a stock broker’s training program, he jumped at it.
Eventually, Lenny also moved on to bigger and better things. He went back to school, and then enjoyed a career as an engineer for one of the world’s top technology companies.
And forty seven years later, although comfortable enough to retire, Dave still enjoys being a stock broker. And he still keeps in touch with Lenny.
You see, every year, on the date that he was originally hired to be the assistant store manager for that Woolworth Five and Dime Store, Dave calls or sends a note to Lenny.
Every year for nearly half a century, Dave has taken the time to thank the person who gave him his big break - the guy who gave some “no-good street punk” a second chance.
That’s because Dave knows that if it wasn’t for Lenny, his life probably would have been over before it ever really got started.
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"Give people a second chance if they screw up. Even people who have stolen from us have become, when given a second chance, incredibly loyal and valued employees. I don’t know where I’d be if I hadn’t been given second chances.”
- Sir Richard Branson, Founder/CEO of Virgin Group
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