Thank You, Mary the Fourth

Today is Thank Your Mentor Day!

Please remember to thank those who influenced you, gave you encouragement and guidance. I would like to pay tribute to mine.

My first boss here in Boston taught me that service is not something done to others, but instead a mutual partnership. (I didn't quite know what she meant then, but I do now). She told me that humor and humility would get me places. I learned some pretty great lessons from her. Even now, 30 years later, I depend on her as my teacher. And friend. Thanks, Sandy.

Mary the Fourth is my 80-year old aunt (we come from a long line of Marys). She has been a constant and important presence in my life. We are both stubborn as rocks and she says that is a good thing. She has been friend, driving instructor (after I fired my father), role model, and to this day, confidante. She still encourages me in every pursuit. And she taught me the most important lesson of my life: do not give up. Thank you, Mary the Fourth!

300 Experience Corps members from this organization are busy at this very moment mentoring hundreds of children in Boston. They have more wisdom, compassion, and talent than I can write about in this post. They are an inspiration, every one. Thank you all.

I can't believe you called me an Old Blogger

At Generations Incorporated, we respectfully refer to those of us over the age of 55 as "older adults". Imagine my surprise when I had to click "old blogger" to write this post!

What a joy it was on December 15 to attend a special "Siamese Sam" event at the Orchard Gardens Pilot School in Roxbury. Siamese Sam and the Things He Will Eat is a marvelous children's story about an adventurous, real-life siamese cat (Sam) who wanders about eating all sorts of different foods.

The author of this wonderful children's story, our very own board member Rich Trombetta, and his student illustrators celebrated the recent publication of the book with a huge book give-away at the school. Rich's talented illustrators are 3rd and 5th grade students at the school, and they were honored with a breakfast reception and many words of praise and congratulations for this major event. Afterwards, Rich and the illustrators autographed copies of the books for many of the students.

Our intention is to make sure each of the 3000 children in our 18 other partner sites eventually gets a copy. Proceeds from the sale of the book will benefit the literacy programs of Generations Incorporated. If you know of anyone interested in sponsoring the book give-away, please have them contact me, the Old Blogger.