Night Before

To my son Tommy,

Oh what a difference a decade makes.  Today is the eve of the Thanksgiving holiday.  It is also, unbeknownst to most, one the busiest bar nights of the year.  Forget New Years Eve or any of the well publicized amateur nights, this night beats them all.  I don't know if it is simply having a hump day holiday coinciding with a lull between prep work or if it is necessary medicine to deal with the impending onslaught of family, but many booze it up on this particular Wednesday every year.  Consequently, ten years ago I would have been tending bar or boozing, but most likely working as tips hit higher levels with that special sense of holiday cheer.

Today, I am at work, finishing end of the month closing, and itching to bet the weather home.  I no longer look forward to the festivities of "Turkey Eve" or at least not the usual festivities of my youth.  I just want to rush home to be with your mom and you and begin my retreat into my contemplative state of thankfulness just a tad bit earlier.  Now if the AP department will finish up...I am all set to head home for some snuggles as we work out the plan for our family obligations tomorrow.  Whatever plan we come up with, be it big family or small, be it big meal opportunities or just some turkey broth with your mommy and us, I look forward to spending an entire day filled with love.

Sincerely with love from your dad,
Leo

Blustery Cold

To my son Tommy,

I suppose I do my fair share of complaining in these letters to you.  I would call it more reporting the situation because I don't think I have a "woe is us" approach, but I guess some might consider it complaining.  But I remain thankful for the gifts we have and am constantly reminded it could be worse.  Yesterday I was reminded how bad it could be.

After the 12:15 Mass, I was selling raffle tickets for the St Agnes Men's Club shopping spree giveaway.  With the windchill yesterday, I am pretty sure it was approaching absolute zero.  The wind was cutting through my clothes no matter how well layered they were.  My kibbles and bits were trying to crawl back inside like a turtle sheltering in his shell in order to seek any kind of warmth.  For thirty minutes I experienced a cold that was reminiscent of doing naked snow angels during the drunken days of my youth.

My mind began to wander and began to consider those who have no home, specifically those that are often outdoors.  I had just thirty minutes of being cold but I was about to return to the warmth of my home.  What if there were no escaping the winds and frigid air?  What if I had no home to return to?  What if the only hope for warmth and relief from this blustery cold weather relied solely on the generosity of strangers and if the shelters were already filled to their max?

Our plights in this world are not trivial when you talk about such thing as your mom's medical conditions and such, but imagine how much more we would have to endure if we didn't have the gifts in our life that we do have.  Remember, always be thankful for what you have and be mindful and compassionate to those who go without.

Sincerely with love from your dad,
Leo

Unexpected

To my son Tommy,

If you ever want to make sure people know you are appreciated, take the time to do something special and unexpected.  I have had two examples of good people who have done this for me in the past month.  

One example was a sales rep for Broadpoint Technologies.  His company is upgrading my company's ERP system.  It was an unexpected surprise receiving flowers at the hospital when your mom was in for her recent Crohn's obstruction.  He already had the business yet he went above and beyond.

The other example was a hand written thank you note from your principal.  Your Bwama asked me to help get some big rolls of carpet up to your school.  Another school no longer needed or wanted these and your school had a couple rooms or offices that could use them.  I was just bulk labor and an extra pair of hands for the guys who really knew what they were doing.  But still a thank you note came home with you from school today.

In today's day and age where a quick tweet or email is the norm, the only way to explain these gestures is old school.  Frankly, old school is much more meaningful when it comes to showing your appreciation.  What was once the norm is now so unexpected that it really stands out.  So if you are ever in need of that special gesture, look to the past!  Open doors for people, use your manners, write thank you notes, write long hand letters, send flowers, send Mass cards, stop by and visit face to face, and most importantly fill whatever it is you decide to do with your heart felt sincerity.  On a side note, I personally have to remember to follow my own advice on this topic.

Sincerely with love from your dad,

Leo