Pass Around The Thankfulness

Every Thanksgiving, it is our family custom to go around the table and announce what one thing we are thankful for this year. Yes, it is hokey and predictable, but I like doing it. This year, we waited until after dessert was served before beginning the round.

Topping my gratitude list was a new job, (my dream job, actually) to which my brother responded, "We've been telling you all along that you needed to be doing something different. You don't listen."

And I thought about what my dear brother had said (tempering my response, since it was Thanksgiving, after all), and replied, "You know, you're absolutely right. But if I hadn't had those other painful experiences, I wouldn't be half as grateful as I am now."

For years, I had counseled people, "What do you like to do? What are you good at? What's your dream job?"

And now.. Finally ... I have the chance to see if I can make my own dreams come true. It is a thrilling experiment, indeed.

Be well.

Let's Just Say "See You Later"

It was easier than I thought to clear out my desk, boxing up books and personal effects. When it was all done, 30 months of my life fit neatly in two small cardboard crates. As I hauled them out to my car, there sat a solitary man on the crumbling cement wall out in the parking lot. I asked if I could help him, and he said, "No, I just wanted to tell you goodbye. I saw your car was still in the lot. We're going to miss you."

I don't even know this guy's name or his story, but I thought that was a terribly nice and decent thing to do.

That was just one of many nice moments yesterday. But what made my heart splinter most of all was when the Board Chairman asked, "If A. has helped you or made a difference in your life, will you please stand?" And as I looked out at this huge crowd, and saw them rising to their feet, and clapping (for me!), my tears must have been as big as boulders. All I could do was look back in their faces, and whisper thank you.

I am so undeserving.
So embarrassingly undeserving of any of this.

Afterwards, as I stood for over an hour, shaking hands and hugging the many good people who have traveled on this journey with me, I had to be even more stoic:

"Why do you have to leave us?"
"We're all miserable you're leaving."
"I thought you would always be here. Who's going to do the work?"
"I know you gotta go, but I'm going to miss you, anyway."

It was a sentimental, and special send-off. I can't wait to see what's around the bend.

Be well.

Beauty From Within

Of all the memories I have of my Grandmother, the one I think I will treasure most of all is this:

A short, white-haired lady, sitting tall, all 96 years and 11 months of her, riding a stationary bicycle, legs peddling, arms pumping, and head thrown back in joyful song.

As she sat by the window, with the warm sunlight pouring through the glass panes, she had the most beatific smile. You couldn't help but be enchanted by her delight.

The poet William Blake said that,"Exuberance is Beauty."

If this is true, then surely my Grandmother was the most beautiful woman in the room yesterday.

Be well. (and be exuberant!)

This Election Eve

"Some of us will do our jobs well and some will not, but we will be judged by only one thing: the result." V. Lombardi

All politicians would be wise to remember this admonishment from the Coach.

Be well.