Ink Out Loud: Can I take some Mulligans, please?
I”m no golfer, but I need a couple of mulligans.
In golf a mulligan is when a player gets a second chance to perform a shot.
It”s not the same as getting it right the first time, for sure. But I want to take another shot or four.
Mulligan No. 1: Two men came into the Record-Bee office this week and asked at the front desk to speak with me.
They were tall and stately veterans of the United States armed forces. They both had serious faces on.
They came in to tell me that my column last week about stolen valor meant a lot to them, and to thank me.
They said they were not very good writers or they would have written a letter to the editor. I can relate. I am not too swell of a speaker.
I was so touched by the gesture and a bit choked up — feeling tears well up in my eyes.
I forgot to thank them. Instead there were extended handshakes, the kind that transfers emotion from one person to another without words.
I am humbled and grateful for their service to our country. I did not deserve gratitude, they did.
So, thank you guys, for everything.
Mulligan No. 2: I saw her taking photographs, greeting everyone with a familiar smile and taking care of every little detail during the Farm Bureau Annual Dinner.
I thought, as I watched Kristen Dover-Krohn move effortlessly through the crowd, she reminded me of one of my father”s nuggets of sound advice: “If you ever really need to know anything when dealing with a business, you ask the secretary, receptionist or the person at the front desk. They usually know more than anyone.”
I wanted to tell Kristen all the aforementioned information about how fabulous she really is, or write it and include her in the article about the event. But, I forgot.
I don”t have an excuse. I can be absent-minded at times.
Kristen, the Lake County Farm Bureau administrative assistant, was recognized after dinner for her participation in the California Farm Bureau Leadership Program.
She smiled, bowed her head a bit and waved her hand in recognition, but she prefers to remain behind the scenes most times, she admitted to me.
Her initial reason for participation in the leadership program was completely unselfish.
She wanted to contribute as much as she could when her boss fell suddenly ill.
Kristen said she needed to learn more about agricultural issues, governmental affairs, personal development and much more, so she could help as much as possible. Kristen, you define what it means to be a team player.
Mulligan No. 3: Sometimes I feel like that “Sesame Street” character, Forgetful Jones. For instance, at about midnight last Friday a redheaded angel from Lake County Wine Studio appeared at the door of the Record-Bee with some serious gourmet grub from an event she hosted earlier in the evening.
It was so much better than the spicy pork rinds, vending machine cuisine and Diet Pepsi typically on our desks as we work.
She made this editor, the sports editor and a reporter tremendously happy. It was a great way to begin the weekend.
I was going to send Susan a comedy video we talked about in the parking lot, but again, I forgot.
Mulligan No. 4: During the weekend I spent some alone and quiet time with my youngest daughter, Miranda.
I had a dialogue in my mind to share with her at a time such as that one. Just to tell her what a wonderful impact she has on my life and that it is a real gift. I wanted to let her know that as she turns 20 next week, her birthday was a gift to me.
Right after she left I remembered.
I have a tendency to compliment people behind their backs.
I am attempting to make a real effort to let them know to their faces, instead. It isn”t as much about telling people how I feel before it”s too late or anything like that, as much as it is about improving the quality of life in the present.
“I see trees of green, red roses, too. I see them bloom for me and for you. And I think to myself — what a wonderful world. I see skies of blue clouds of white. Bright blessed days, dark sacred nights. And I think to myself — what a wonderful world. The colors of a rainbow are so pretty in the sky. Are also on the faces of people walking by. I see friends shaking hands, saying ?how do you do?” They”re really saying, I love you. I hear babies cry, I watch them grow. They”ll learn much more than I”ll never know. And I think to myself — what a wonderful world.” — Performed by Louis Armstrong and later by my favorite, Joey Ramone
Mandy Feder is the Managing Editor at Lake County Publishing. She can be reached at mandyfeder@yahoo.com or 263-5636 ext. 32. Follow on Twitter @mandyfeder1.
