In her days of clarity, my mom used to share a story with me each birthday. Being a couple days past my due date, the solution beyond speed bumps in the station wagon was an IV. Her words: “Your father and I ran into Gramps while standing on 4th and Pike, noticing my good sized belly, he asked what we had planned for the day and we told him, today is the day be believe we’ll have a son.”
Today is the 59th anniversary of that day and although she isn’t here to re-tell that moment, her spirit is more alive today than just about any moment since her trip to see Saint Peter, three years back.
Little did I know (in 1961) that I’d been chosen to be part of a remarkable family, led by two of the most extraordinary parents on Earth.
The photo accompanying above is the motivation for writing this piece. On 11/11/2020 at 11AM, I was in a production studio putting the finishing details of a meaningful short film about my journey to the TEDx stage. The genesis of this seven minute TEDx documentary is a need to demonstrate how much my Mom has left for the rest of us to celebrate. Having finished my work in front of the camera, I took a peek out the window while digital story teller and special friend Matt Rommel gathered his gear. Peering down 4th avenue from my seventh story vantage, I took a deep breath as I looked across at one of the few aged buildings left in downtown Seattle. In giant black letters on the off white painted bricks: “4th and Pike Building.”
One of the most important missions I walk now is seeking both the spirit of my Mom and the opportunity to re visit really valuable experiences my Dad allowed me, as part of the family home furnishings enterprise. Those early business lessons, most of which he learned from his own father, implore me to count the massive blessings of being born into this incredible tribe.
When I recount all the compassion lessons shown to me by my Mom in her 30 years being trusted with small children, some of whom lived in really challenging environments and combined them with the opportunity to learn how only in this country can you create what you wish so long as you’re willing to gather others around you and work for it, I’m sure to be the fortunate guy around.
Looking forward, I now have my own child to pass these gifts to. She gets to take the family game ball and run with it in her own way. At nearly 15, Daniela is beginning to understand her family tree is made of solid roots with plenty of branches populated with contributors to a better world. I’m hopeful my own example of watering the earth will drive her to do the same.
I remember the day so well and many more from that day forward. Our family has had an incredible journey together and we have much to be thankful for.
This is so beautiful Larry. You have so many gifts, one of which is writing. Thank you for being you in this world.