Thank you Luke

The sobering news came via social media. It's the downside of getting older.  Social media keeps us connected to our families and friends and even as the distances may continue to grow, we can follow all the good that takes places in others lives. Just like the old neighborhood. 

Let's go back to that old neighborhood. Browning and Tennyson. Like a story of one's childhood right out of a script from Hollywood. 

There were plenty of kids in the neighborhood. Some older, some younger, but most all enjoyed doing things that, well, kids liked to do: street hockey, building forts, riding bikes, staying out late, and of course, trying to stay out of trouble. But we were good kids.  

It was me, Sully (or Scruff, Sulloo, or Sull) with the red hair always dribbling a basketball. There was Jason Chagnon (Chag), the blond speedster who would beat just about everyone in a race and Leon "Lee" Shaw, the big guy who for some reason, loved the Lakers. Glen "Lew" Lewis, the hockey standout who always seemed to host the best street hockey games in town.  

And then there was Brian O'Halloran, affectionately known as "B.O."  His mother would disagree with the nickname, and technically she was correct, as it should have been BO'H.  But he was still B.O. to us and a truly great friend. 

We grew up together. From elementary school, catching the yellow school  bus at the corner of Henry Law and Tennyson.  To walking to junior high school, since we supposedly lived too close. Those cold winter days sure made it feel like it was more than the mile minimum. 

Then on to high school where we would finally enter the work force. Little jobs to earn some extra cash. From cleaning floors together with Lee's dad, to running the Happy Wheels Skating Rink as skate guards and disc jockey's.   

I can thank Brian (B.O.) for teaching me how to spin the records good enough where Saturday night's at the rink was my main slot.  Not to mention, he showed me how to quickly fix the needle on the second turn table just in time before the song would end. 

But when we were looking to earn a little extra cash, the three of us worked summers for Allied Movers.  The local warehouse was run by Brian's dad, Luke. 

We were high school kids and Luke took great care of us. The moving business can be quite demanding and the hours can be long, depending on the move, whether it was a local, distance, or the always fun -- office move. 

Luke never pushed us hard, but saw to it that we were paid pretty well and always the first in line to get in on some of the better jobs when we showed up at the crack of dawn. Jobs that paid well in tips and would require as much heavy lifting ... though we did have our fair share. 

Luke watched over us "boys" during the summers of 1987 and 1988, and I think in 1989.  He told great stories, hilarious jokes during the quiet times around the warehouse when other crews were out on jobs. 

The small office where he ran the show had a couch and an industrial looking coffee maker.  One thing was sure, each morning over the summer, there was a strong cup of coffee waiting for the crew's arrival.   

Luke passed away this past Monday.  News I heard through a social media message from Brian.  A message that made me stop and reflect of all the good things he was a father to one of my best friends, and the important impact he had on me in my life. 

Thank you Luke. Rest in peace. I'll make another cup of coffee. 

Looking Back at '13

A few days into the new year, I thought it would be appropriate to take a look back at some of the important moments from 2013.

While glad it is over, 2013 was an important one. 

Celebrating Birthday No. 4
After a fun birthday party during our family vacation in Narragansett in July, a party that included kids, grandparents, and farm animals, we officially celebrated Liam’s fourth birthday party in August. Hard to believe how much he has grown in just four years, but they have been fun every step of the way.

Anniversary No. 10

In July, Cheryl and I celebrated our 10th wedding anniversary. The past 10 years have been full of adventure and travel and welcoming a beautiful boy into our family, but most of all, these 10 years have been the best of my life spending each day with my beautiful wife.

The PR Machine

In August, I was lucky to once again take part in my eighth Falmouth Road Race. With some solid training through the streets of the East Side and Blackstone Blvd, I was able to smash my previous best personal record with another solid race over the 7.1 mile course from Woods Hole to Falmouth Heights, eclipsing my previous best time from 2011. 

8.       2013       58.33

7.       2012       59.11

6.       2011       59.04

5.       2010       1:03.40

4.       2009       1:04.29

3.       2008       1:04.38

2.       2007       1:08.27

1.       2006       1:09.18 

Finally Closed

The end of June was an emotional and in particular, very draining as we finally sold our condo we had lived in for seven years. With the addition of Liam, we certainly needed a little more room, but trying to sell real estate during one of the worst economic periods in history, was quite the challenge. After three years, coming close several times with finding a buyer, we finally completed the transaction. But it was truly a miracle that we got to the closing table as the amount of red-tape and dealing with city codes and regulations and seeing first-hand how the city operates, was simply agonizing. But we got it done, and now ready to find a good home for our family. 

I can't wait.