My nephew Paul sent me the following message. I had no idea such a small gift would impact his life and career so profoundly. I was moved to tears.
Hi Uncle
I have been Thinking and reflecting upon Christmas’ past. All the way back to those childhood memories of Christmas including my parents and Grandma. Of all of the relatives coming to visit. Grandma was the hub of the family and she drew family visitors from all over. We were so lucky to have her, and so lucky to have gotten to know our relatives better because of her popularity. I have always carried her picture in my wallet, every time I see it my heart is warmed.
I think of how good you were to my sisters and me on Christmas. Your presents to us were ALWAYS our favorites. Before Christmas, we would talk and dream about “Wonder what Uncle Dan is gonna get us this year?” I remember a battery operated Corvette convertible you gave me. Really cool toy. Unfortunately Barbie dolls fit in the passenger seat perfectly and my sisters expected me to share it too frequently. Funny, later in life I did not mind girls riding around in my sports car. A life lesson.
But the BEST toy anyone ever gave me was the electronic experiment kit you gave me one year. You could make circuits, use switches, lights, buzzers, motors, etc. It sparked my interest in electricity, and it never left me. After our lifes changed after Dad’s passing I had to leave the farm and find a career. I bounced around a few dead end jobs, then Sue helped me get a job at the phone company. They provided training, so I worked in the store room during the day and went to tech school…electronics… at night. The electric interest you helped instill in me kicked in, I got the best grades in my class. Helps to be interested and knowing the classes you are in pertain to improving your future. Those classes helped me get a tech job at the phone company, a job that paid the highest wage, better than some management jobs. I have been a tech there now for 28 years. I continue to learn on the job and take every training class they offer me. My career has been pretty good to me. It was REALLY hard to leave that farm, but now I know I am better off for it. So, I am thinking of YOU this Christmas, and even though I rarely see you, I wanted to let you know what a big impact you have been to my life. THANKS SO MUCH and Merry Christmas! Paul
Hi Uncle
I have been Thinking and reflecting upon Christmas’ past. All the way back to those childhood memories of Christmas including my parents and Grandma. Of all of the relatives coming to visit. Grandma was the hub of the family and she drew family visitors from all over. We were so lucky to have her, and so lucky to have gotten to know our relatives better because of her popularity. I have always carried her picture in my wallet, every time I see it my heart is warmed.
I think of how good you were to my sisters and me on Christmas. Your presents to us were ALWAYS our favorites. Before Christmas, we would talk and dream about “Wonder what Uncle Dan is gonna get us this year?” I remember a battery operated Corvette convertible you gave me. Really cool toy. Unfortunately Barbie dolls fit in the passenger seat perfectly and my sisters expected me to share it too frequently. Funny, later in life I did not mind girls riding around in my sports car. A life lesson.
But the BEST toy anyone ever gave me was the electronic experiment kit you gave me one year. You could make circuits, use switches, lights, buzzers, motors, etc. It sparked my interest in electricity, and it never left me. After our lifes changed after Dad’s passing I had to leave the farm and find a career. I bounced around a few dead end jobs, then Sue helped me get a job at the phone company. They provided training, so I worked in the store room during the day and went to tech school…electronics… at night. The electric interest you helped instill in me kicked in, I got the best grades in my class. Helps to be interested and knowing the classes you are in pertain to improving your future. Those classes helped me get a tech job at the phone company, a job that paid the highest wage, better than some management jobs. I have been a tech there now for 28 years. I continue to learn on the job and take every training class they offer me. My career has been pretty good to me. It was REALLY hard to leave that farm, but now I know I am better off for it. So, I am thinking of YOU this Christmas, and even though I rarely see you, I wanted to let you know what a big impact you have been to my life. THANKS SO MUCH and Merry Christmas! Paul
