- December 3, 2024
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When I stopped at home briefly after work, before leaving for another evening event, my 6-year-old son, Luke, came running.
“You just need one thing,” he said.
“What’s that?”
He gave me a bear hug.
Which would have been adorable, except that my back was sore, and it was quite painful.
“Where are you going?” he asked.
“To a retirement party,” I said.
His jaw dropped cartoonishly. “You’re retiring?!?”
Not exactly. Give me another 24 years or so.
Instead, I drove to Garry Lubi's retirement party.
The previous week, I attended another event, this time in Ormond Beach, where Becky Parker was celebrated for her 10 years at Ormond MainStreet.
In both events, in contrast to the division and rancor of the national political scene, I witnessed the guests of honor tear up, feeling admired and rewarded. And, as one speech after another was given, I looked around at the people in the crowd: They were rapt, all smiles, glowing.
In those moments, how can the audience not feel unified by love?
It was refreshing to rest in these little oases of pure good-natured celebration.
Which led me to wonder: What could I do to prolong the magic? Or, in everyday moments that were merely mundane or frustrating, how could I re-enter the celebration zone?
Before I left Lubi’s event, I asked him if he had any wise words for me, considering he had already finished raising his children and had successfully concluded his career of nearly five decades in banking.
“It’s about relationships,” he said.
In other words, I thought, treat people as you would want to be treated. Earn their trust. Show up, spend quality time, and spread goodwill with honest compliments. In the words of the Proverb: “Withhold not good from them to whom it is due, when it is in the power of thine hand to do it.”
And so, since I have the power of a few paragraphs in my hand, I’d like to use them to celebrate a few people, even though they’re not retiring or celebrating any milestones:
Sage Wilcox: Every morning, Sage drives my daughter to high school after a church class. She is one of the most selfless people I know.
Bill Navarra: Whenever I see him at Ormond Beach events, Bill always gives me a genuine smile and makes me feel welcome. I learned something when I saw him gathering his employees for a group picture at the MainStreet event, creating a positive culture in his company, leading by example.
Kim Sunshine: Kim is the type of person who will walk you across a room just to introduce you to someone else who might be able to help you. What does she get out of it? The joy of helping others.
Kathy Austrino: This week, she took some time to give me some honest, professional feedback. I could tell she wanted me to succeed.
Maureen Ryan: A great listener. A cheerful, thoughtful soul.
What's a compliment you'd like to share? Email [email protected].
