I’m taking a break from these weekly blogs for a few months. I’m getting closer to finishing the text for my book, so I need to focus. Otherwise, I’m guilty of the common phrase, “I’m working on a book,” which most potential authors use as a delaying tactic. I confess to being one of them.
You have blessed me lately by opening my emails at a higher rate than ever before. So, I took some time to look at the subscribers on my list. I realized that you represent almost my entire life. At the risk of compiling a self-serving curriculum vitae, I want to explain my meaning in the following paragraphs.
First, and for most writers, this should be true: my immediate family members were my first supporters. If you can’t get them to encourage you, it’s hard to build momentum. My list includes cousins, nephews, nieces, and people they’ve referred to my blogs.
For today’s purpose, I didn’t look at the list of when the folks signed up, but at the time they came along in my life. For example, some of you were grade school classmates at St. Dominic Catholic Elementary School. A few were in the Boy Scouts with me. We achieved the rank of Eagle together.
Many of us shared our high school time at McGill Institute and Bishop Toolen High School. (I attended a biweekly coffee gathering with classmates just this morning. We were in school together more than fifty years ago.)
Another large group of subscribers are my wife’s family and friends. Lane has encouraged many of them to read my columns. I’m grateful!
Next, my fraternity brothers in Kappa Sigma at the University of Alabama have been amazing. Several new subscribers recently discovered my blog after I featured my good friend and our fraternity brother, Tim Gamso, who recently passed away. Several of Tim’s family also signed on. They were and are a special part of my life.
I’ve been active in politics from a young age, especially in my 20s and 30s. I see my friends from the Young Republicans, the Mobile and Alabama Republican Executive Committees on my subscriber list. Even though we haven’t been around each other for a while, I’m grateful for their support.
The Mobile and Alabama Jaycees greatly influenced my maturity and growth during my 30s and 40s. Thanks for your continuing support. I also see many of my fellow members from the Mobile Kiwanis Club and the Downtown Rotary clubs on my list.
One of the most amazing things to me is the number of people I worked with at our family business, The Finch Companies, Inc. We experienced many victories and defeats in the more than thirty years we spent together. Each week, I hold a special place in my heart when I see that you’ve opened my emails.
I spent many years in the real estate industry, both residential and commercial specialties. My subscriber list includes many of my fellow Realtors. Thank you.
As I look through the subscriber list, I see people I served with on the YMCA Board of Directors, the Mobile Chamber of Commerce, tennis teams, McGill-Toolen fundraising groups, and fellow coaches and parents of my children’s Little League and softball teams.
Our immediate family has expanded to five children, five in-laws, eight grandchildren (a ninth on the way), and all the other associated folks. Many of them are subscribers.
Many of you know I recently retired after more than nine years with the Little Sisters of the Poor. I’m grateful for the subscribers associated with that amazing mission. They include Residents, Little Sisters, fellow employees, donors, volunteers, and vendors. Thank you for keeping up with me.
The Catholic Church has always been an essential part of my life. My subscribers include several wonderful priests. One of my subscribers was a priest when he married Lane and me. He is no longer a Catholic priest, but is still in the business of uniting couples in marriage. I thank the supporters from my Eucharistic Adoration group, the Men of St. Joseph, the Knights of Columbus, and even the Cathedral Supper Club.
I’m grateful to our Loft neighbors from Downtown Mobile and our new neighbors in Tiger Lake in Gulf Breeze. Thank you for subscribing.
I’ve enjoyed the feedback that my fellow writers have given me. Your input has been valuable.
I would be remiss if I didn’t recognize those of you who decided to give me a chance upon a recommendation from a current subscriber. Thanks for giving me a try!
Finally, there is a special group of subscribers without which I would have no column—my riders. Many of you have been the subject of my columns. I’ve been fascinated by the challenges and experiences you’ve shared with me.
As you can see, you are my life! I look through the list and can’t help but be grateful that God has given me so many wonderful people with whom to share trials, tribulations, and triumphs. I hope you will be patient with me over the next few months; after all, I’m working on a book!
I’m still discerning a title, but out of the more than 170 blogs I’ve written, I’ll be editing the stories and publishing the top seventy or so. Thank you from the bottom of my heart! I’ll be back soon!
God Bless,
Tommy