Over the years, Mr. Bill and I have been very fortunate, meeting people from all walks of life, different cultures, young and old, many with different beliefs, but all have had a very profound impact on our lives. A few years before we purchased Fred's News from "the Brothers", our children attended St. Joseph's Catholic School in Baltic. Mr. Bill a non-Catholic decided his son Todd should also attend the Catholic School, with my two younger sons, Matt and Mark. As the boys grew, Mr. Bill coached them in many sports. He also coached the Academy of the Holy Family all girls high school basketball and softball. Sr. Mary Jude, the athletic director hailed from Puerto Rico, was a fiery Latin personality, but the Egg-Nazi and the good Sister became a great team, him with his knowledge of the game, her with the intimidating demeanor, "no one walks all over my girls team". It was a sports marriage made in heaven!
As the years passed, we purchased Fred's News, our free time, now gone, extra curricular activities ceased. Yet the the students and Sisters of the Academy of the Holy Family and St. Joseph School, always remained a part of our family. Perhaps this is why the Nuns allowed the students to frequent Fred's News, sort of a "safety harbor" for the girls.
Many years after his coaching duties had ended, Mr. Bill and I were still visited by some of his former team. One in particular, Lizzie Kasenge, had arrived at the Academy of the Holy Family from the country of Uganda. Along with one of her teammates, Mary Kiganda, they were what Mr. Bill called the Ugandan Connection. After graduation, the girls went on to the college of their choice, Mary eventually returning to her country, to help her people. Lizzie staying in the United States married, had children, her daughter also attending the Academy of the Holy Family. Lizzie would always arrive at the school, then head down to Fred's News for a visit. Her affectionate name for the Egg-Nazi, "Mr. Coachman".
Yet, it was not only the students at this international school, that helped us to understand cultures from other parts of this vast world. Richard and his wife Marge frequented our place for many years. Richard hailed from Australia, bringing his visiting relatives to Fred's News. They brought us menus from down under, we returned the favor, Fred's News menus now part of some one's scrapbook in the Southern Hemisphere! Jimmy's mother, sisters, brother-in-law and family, all hailing from Northern Ireland, also Fred's News regulars, when visiting the America. Jim would always let us know of their imminent arrival by announcing "his bed (home) and our breakfast (Fred's News) was now open for the season. Yes, there we others as well, Glenn and Solange's relatives from Brazil, nephew Moise staying for extended visits, always enjoyable conversations at Fred's.
After our departure from Baltic and relocation in Florida, we often talked of our many visitors. Occasionally we'd remember someone that only stopped once in passing, but there was always something about the conversation that was memorable. The bus driver from Wales, his stories and accent outrageously funny, perked up the early morning hour, leaving us asking for more conversation. The bicycle rider, touring the New England States from Great Britain. He was looking for place with beautiful flowers and great pie and ice cream. His visits, once a year, but a vivid part of our memories.
As I began my second career at Disney, numerous opportunities to learn different cultures, their languages and people have been given to me. Yet each time one of my Cast Members returns to their homeland, a part of me returns with them. Yes they have touched my life, it is my hope I too have been able to give them something to remember. Just this past Friday, Jingzhou Liu (Justin) asked me if I would give him his college program evaluation. An outstanding young man, with one of the most respectful personalities, all part of his culture. Justin came to this country from Shanghai, China. When I first met Justin, he was enjoying his time here, but admitted missing his family, even shedding a few tears of saddness. We talked often, I encouraged him to make friends, "Mr. Shanghai" had no problems with that. In his months here, he has grown, he turned twenty-one, but never forgot what his parents have taught him, they must be so proud. Justin returns to China in a few days, now visiting a friend in Louisiana. Hopefully we will see him again someday, yet we know Justin will make a difference in whatever it is he chooses to do. He told us, it was the Chinese New Year, a new begininning for him as he returns home. When I read the Chinese proverb: If you want one year of prosperity, grow grain; if you want ten years of prosperity, grow trees; if you want one hundred years of prosperity, grow people, I think of Justin and the many others who I have crossed paths with....the world is a prosperous place indeed!
As the years passed, we purchased Fred's News, our free time, now gone, extra curricular activities ceased. Yet the the students and Sisters of the Academy of the Holy Family and St. Joseph School, always remained a part of our family. Perhaps this is why the Nuns allowed the students to frequent Fred's News, sort of a "safety harbor" for the girls.
Many years after his coaching duties had ended, Mr. Bill and I were still visited by some of his former team. One in particular, Lizzie Kasenge, had arrived at the Academy of the Holy Family from the country of Uganda. Along with one of her teammates, Mary Kiganda, they were what Mr. Bill called the Ugandan Connection. After graduation, the girls went on to the college of their choice, Mary eventually returning to her country, to help her people. Lizzie staying in the United States married, had children, her daughter also attending the Academy of the Holy Family. Lizzie would always arrive at the school, then head down to Fred's News for a visit. Her affectionate name for the Egg-Nazi, "Mr. Coachman".
Yet, it was not only the students at this international school, that helped us to understand cultures from other parts of this vast world. Richard and his wife Marge frequented our place for many years. Richard hailed from Australia, bringing his visiting relatives to Fred's News. They brought us menus from down under, we returned the favor, Fred's News menus now part of some one's scrapbook in the Southern Hemisphere! Jimmy's mother, sisters, brother-in-law and family, all hailing from Northern Ireland, also Fred's News regulars, when visiting the America. Jim would always let us know of their imminent arrival by announcing "his bed (home) and our breakfast (Fred's News) was now open for the season. Yes, there we others as well, Glenn and Solange's relatives from Brazil, nephew Moise staying for extended visits, always enjoyable conversations at Fred's.
After our departure from Baltic and relocation in Florida, we often talked of our many visitors. Occasionally we'd remember someone that only stopped once in passing, but there was always something about the conversation that was memorable. The bus driver from Wales, his stories and accent outrageously funny, perked up the early morning hour, leaving us asking for more conversation. The bicycle rider, touring the New England States from Great Britain. He was looking for place with beautiful flowers and great pie and ice cream. His visits, once a year, but a vivid part of our memories.
As I began my second career at Disney, numerous opportunities to learn different cultures, their languages and people have been given to me. Yet each time one of my Cast Members returns to their homeland, a part of me returns with them. Yes they have touched my life, it is my hope I too have been able to give them something to remember. Just this past Friday, Jingzhou Liu (Justin) asked me if I would give him his college program evaluation. An outstanding young man, with one of the most respectful personalities, all part of his culture. Justin came to this country from Shanghai, China. When I first met Justin, he was enjoying his time here, but admitted missing his family, even shedding a few tears of saddness. We talked often, I encouraged him to make friends, "Mr. Shanghai" had no problems with that. In his months here, he has grown, he turned twenty-one, but never forgot what his parents have taught him, they must be so proud. Justin returns to China in a few days, now visiting a friend in Louisiana. Hopefully we will see him again someday, yet we know Justin will make a difference in whatever it is he chooses to do. He told us, it was the Chinese New Year, a new begininning for him as he returns home. When I read the Chinese proverb: If you want one year of prosperity, grow grain; if you want ten years of prosperity, grow trees; if you want one hundred years of prosperity, grow people, I think of Justin and the many others who I have crossed paths with....the world is a prosperous place indeed!
I got my name!!!! So happy to see that~~
ReplyDeleteIm sorry for my poor internet access. It was something wrong with that so I spent 2 days to fix it. And everything is OK now.
I will still keep reading.
Thank u for ur praising. I really appreciate that!
Mr. Shanghai...Praise is always given, when it is due!!!!!
ReplyDelete