Being Thankful for Those Who Give

Earlier this month, I celebrated another birthday. To me, this one was no more important than any of the others, except that the more they come, the more I’m amazed by the journey and where it has brought me in life.

Today I live where others enjoy vacationing and have done so for the last 31 years. The beautiful beach here on Marco is a wonder we should never take for granted. When I first bought here in 1986, I had the opportunity to bring my mom, my brother and my little niece here a few times before the passing of my mom in October of 1989. Since then, my younger brother has passed and my beautiful niece is married and has a little son about the age she was when she first walked on the beach here with her grandmother.

Every time I get to be on that beach or out on the waters, I think about those visits and remember how much she loved walking that beach and swimming in those warm Gulf waters. It’s a shame she never got to enjoy more of it, but at least she got to see it. Unfortunately, my brother never got to spend much time here either, and I kick myself for not making that happen more often.

My dad never had the good fortune to visit here, as he died shortly after his 45th birthday. It was the fall of my senior year in high school, and I’ll never forget the nine months he bravely battled the cancer that wracked his body. He never complained though, and was always positive until the end, even the last day when my mom and I walked into his room at the Veterans Hospital in Manchester, NH, when he gave my mom a smile and closed his eyes.

My dad never got to see this beautiful place I now call home, but I can tell you without a doubt he would have loved it. He’d be playing golf with the Marco Men’s Club every chance he could get and sharing stories with many of those same men from his generation that helped to ensure we had the opportunity to live in this great country due to their sacrifices in World War II. When not golfing, he’d be joining in with those that play bridge at Mackle Park, another one of his favorite pastimes.

I think about both my parents every day. He was 45 and she was 66 when they passed, but neither had been given the privileges that I’ve had. I believe that is the reason it’s important to remember why I’ve had those opportunities and the sacrifices it took to get me to where I am today.

Yes, I was lucky that I had a great career in my business life. That success also afforded me the opportunity to meet a lot of wonderful people. I also enjoyed a great life in the communities where I’ve lived, both here and in New Hampshire. 

 I’ve become involved because I remember what was done for my family during our crisis. I understood how important the gesture of a cardboard box full of necessities meant when we came back from the cemetery on that frigid day in November, just a day before Thanksgiving after we had buried my dad.

I often write about how important it is to give back. I do so because I truly understand what it means to be on the receiving end of a kind gesture. 

A gentleman I served with on one of the volunteer boards I’ve belonged to on the island once told me there are many ways to give, but most revolve around what he called the “Three T’s” - time, talent and treasure. He was right. For many, the donation of time and talent is as important as writing a check.

As Marco continues to grow, and it will, the need for men and women to step forward and lend a hand will increase. Take the time to sit back and think a little about how you could be a contributor to make this a better community. 

Think about those wonderful folks who volunteer at Our Daily Bread Food Pantry, with Al’s Pals, Meals on Wheels, St. Vincent DePaul, the Marco Patriots, St. Matthews House, the Bargain Basket or the many other wonderful charities that give back so much to the community.

This weekend, I’ll be thankful for all who have made this year special, but most of all to my parents, family and wonderful friends who continue to contribute to my life experiences from the past and the present, thereby providing me with something to celebrate every day, not just on my birthday.