If you know, you know! I don’t know at the moment I’m writing this blog. If you are one of my subscribers receiving this every Tuesday morning, you won’t know for sure until Wednesday. The truth is, we won’t know for sure until much later.
If you read my column in the Lagniappe, you will already know.
No matter the choice, a large contingent of supporters will be unhappy with the results. There will be talk of conspiracy theories.
But if history is any indication, the battle will have just begun. There is no clear precedent in our past. For the first time, a national audience will learn which college football teams will ranked among the top twelve in consideration for the national championship playoffs!
This week is one I will not soon forget. In addition to the aforementioned announcement and a few other cultural happenings, I will retire from my career as Development Director for the Little Sisters of the Poor. Friday will be my last day.
I haven’t become independently wealthy, so I will still need to earn a living on top of a safety net and a pension. I love writing, and I love speaking. (My wife refers to what I call speaking as talking. But I don’t think people earn a sustainable living as professional talkers.)
I’ve spent the last few weeks going through boxes of letters, pictures, and scrapbook items to cull the things I know will take up space. The exercise reminded me of one of my favorite rides at the many Disney World vacations I’ve enjoyed. From my childhood, our kids, and our grandchildren, I’ve been fascinated by the “Carousel of Progress” ride at the Magic Kingdom.
For those who haven’t experienced the attraction, the stage stays in place as the audience rotates to view the accomplishments of each era. Our host, John, marvels at the technological upgrades, including stoves, washing machines, entertainment, and communication.
As I opened box after box of items from different stages of my life, I felt the changes and experiences as though each “era” rotated in front of me.
I opened letters, pictures, and artifacts from my parents and grandparents from before I ever hit the planet. Then, my baby pictures, those of my siblings, cousins, and friends from when I could barely walk through my years in Cincinnati, Okinawa, Wichita, and Mobile.
The audience rotates. Now, I’m attending high school. In this setting, I see my high school buddies and pictures of my dates to dances. I also see some of my report cards—no need to hold on to those.
My college years at the University of Alabama take up the next stage. As with my high school acquaintances, my friends remain in my fondest memories.
Once again, the stage rotates. I began working with my family’s business, and my dating became serious. I met my wife, Lane Young, on a blind date. Within a few years, we married and began our responsibilities as parents to five children.
In Disney’s Carousel experience, John praises the wonders of electricity when suddenly a fuse blows, leaving the stage in the dark. He directs his son to replace the fuse and magically restores power.
Real life ain’t that easy. I continue to peruse the boxes and see the many heartbreaking and challenging moments on my stage. I throw most of those items in the trash.
Luckily, our technology allows me to scan my favorite pictures and other keepsakes onto my computer and ultimately into the cloud, wherever that is. When I was younger, we took pictures with film, sent the film away, and hoped the results were worth keeping. Today, we take so many photos we can never gather enough time to enjoy them.
I agree with a recent sermon in which the priest talked about visiting the Sistine Chapel and worried about the hundreds of people snapping so many pictures, hoping they would enjoy revisiting the view at home. The problem was that most never took the moment to relish the current experience.
I digress.
Watching the stages appear, I thought about the people and the experiences I cherished at each venue. Once again, I will say goodbye to the wonderful people as I leave my employment. Of all the places I’ve worked, the Little Sisters of the Poor might be the most special.
I’ve worked next to women who have dedicated their lives to caring for others as they approach the end of their lives. I’ve had the pleasure of associating with my fellow employees as they give the mission more than a paycheck’s worth of compassion and care.
Our volunteers are second to none! The residents themselves are an inspiration. So many of them spend their days serving their fellow elderly.
More than a hundred residents have passed on to a better world during my time at Sacred Heart Residence. Most of those beautiful folks left this existence with prayers as the Sisters maintained a vigil in the final moments of their lives.
My seat has stopped rotating at my current stage. In my estimation, I have at least three or four more ahead of me. I’d be lying if I said I have it all figured out. But I hope you and I stay in touch. I’m anxious and excited. My family and my friends will always be my most cherished gift.
I’ll be writing, and I’ll be talking! I can’t wait to see the next stage!
God Bless!
Tommy
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