The Grab & Go program will be wrapping up at the end of this week. This program has been an overwhelming success. Thanks go out to Cory Wingerter for his vision and for bringing this program to our club. Very special thanks go out to Lisa Youngberg and her family as well as all of our delivery volunteers. This program would not have been as successful without their tireless efforts. Lisa, Kent, Matt, Drew & Amanda, on behalf of our club, I want to thank you for all that you’ve done to make this program a great success. You were all amazing! We can’t thank you enough. Amanda, fantastic job on the videos! Thank you all for your inspiration and for demonstrating the true meaning of service above self.
Other Random Thoughts….
Have you ever been scolded by one of your children? My wife and I really enjoy our relationship with our adult children, perhaps now more than ever. They all have families of their own and we love to get together with them and their friends whenever we can. I’m sure that many of us are enjoying similar experiences. My oldest daughter works in finance. She is an organized, one person fireball. Just tell her what needs to be done and get out of her way. My wife and I are very proud of her, as we are with all of our children.
Confession time: I have to admit that as a parent of grown children (all in their thirties), I had to go through a transition from a mindset of, these are my children and I’m still their father, to, the realization that they are now grown up.
For me this happened a little over a year ago. My wife and I were at my daughter’s house. As we were leaving, I reminded her that it was her grandmother’s birthday (my mom) next week. I also asked her to remind her brother and sister and to make sure that they call her and get her a gift. Well, I really wasn’t prepared for her response. My daughter immediately assumed the patented hand on the hip position; she looked me in the eye and without missing a beat she said, “Let me make sure that I understand this correctly. You want ME to tell your other ADULT children to get something for their grandmother? Do I have that right?” After she said that, there was silence. I’m not at a loss for words very often, but I have to say that I was speechless at that very moment.
For me this happened a little over a year ago. My wife and I were at my daughter’s house. As we were leaving, I reminded her that it was her grandmother’s birthday (my mom) next week. I also asked her to remind her brother and sister and to make sure that they call her and get her a gift. Well, I really wasn’t prepared for her response. My daughter immediately assumed the patented hand on the hip position; she looked me in the eye and without missing a beat she said, “Let me make sure that I understand this correctly. You want ME to tell your other ADULT children to get something for their grandmother? Do I have that right?” After she said that, there was silence. I’m not at a loss for words very often, but I have to say that I was speechless at that very moment.
I don’t know if this was an Ah-Ha moment for me; it was more of a Bah-Bah moment. Because nothing in my life has made me feel more silly and sheepish than having my adult daughter hold up a spotlight and scold me for something that I should have known. It was very effective! She’s good like that (she gets it from her mother). Needless to say, I got the message. Thankfully, she didn’t send me to my room!
“I don’t know how to act my age. I’ve never been this age before.” - Unknown
Yours in Rotary,
Tony Parziale