The very sentence itself seems completely surreal but its true. In the seven years since I began this blog, I've been posting whatever interested me at the time -- and those of you reading this now were kind enough to visit over the years when something interested you. For that alone, I am very grateful and I hope I've managed to give you a chuckle or present an interesting fact or two. If this 1000th post can be called anything like a "milestone", I feel I would like to dedicate it to one person whom I think first started me on this road.
In 1983, my first job was at Rustler Steak House and my first boss was Cindy. After only about three months on the job, Cindy suggested that I might want to start writing a weekly newsletter. I had putzed around writing for most of my life but I never considered writing for a deadline. Yet here I was, taking the plunge and consenting to writing a weekly two-page-minimum (but usually longer) newsletter to be read by all my co-workers and bosses. That newsletter ran from 1983 until the store closed in 1986. Throughout that time, Cindy was nothing but completely encouraging and supportive towards me; I really don't know if I'd be doing this blog or any of the other writing I've done (which include being twice published in national magazines) if it hadn't been for her early support. So, there you have it -- a place to lay the credit or the blame! In my eyes, writing has been both an excruciatingly arduous process and an immensely fulfilling one which probably has kept me sane all these years. I am extremely grateful to her.
Right now, Cindy is in the process of leaving us. I wish with all my heart there was something I could do or anything I could write to erase that bitter fact. In this case, words are powerless. Cindy is in hospice care without pain and resting thankfully. Her endless capacity for helping others and putting them before herself is at an end but all the people she's helped and who love her would form a line which would stretch as far as the eye can see until it disappeared over the horizon into the sun. Cindy, as you prepare to take that step over that sunny horizon, none of us will forget what you've done for us over the years and how much you've meant to every last one of us. With a heart overflowing with love and gratitude, I dedicate this 1000th post to your unconquerable spirit and your endless giving heart.
With love and mittens,
Your Rickster Rick
Sunday, January 29, 2012
THIS IS THE 1000th POST IN THE LAND OF CERPTS AND HONEY. The very sentence itself seems completely surreal but its true. In the seven years since I began this blog, I've been posting whatever interested me at the time -- and those of you reading this now were kind enough to visit over the years when something interested you. For that alone, I am very grateful and I hope I've managed to give you a chuckle or present an interesting fact or two. If this 1000th post can be called anything like a "milestone", I feel I would like to dedicate it to one person whom I think first started me on this road.
In 1983, my first job was at Rustler Steak House and my first boss was Cindy. After only about three months on the job, Cindy suggested that I might want to start writing a weekly newsletter. I had putzed around writing for most of my life but I never considered writing for a deadline. Yet here I was, taking the plunge and consenting to writing a weekly two-page-minimum (but usually longer) newsletter to be read by all my co-workers and bosses. That newsletter ran from 1983 until the store closed in 1986. Throughout that time, Cindy was nothing but completely encouraging and supportive towards me; I really don't know if I'd be doing this blog or any of the other writing I've done (which include being twice published in national magazines) if it hadn't been for her early support. So, there you have it -- a place to lay the credit or the blame! In my eyes, writing has been both an excruciatingly arduous process and an immensely fulfilling one which probably has kept me sane all these years. I am extremely grateful to her.
Right now, Cindy is in the process of leaving us. I wish with all my heart there was something I could do or anything I could write to erase that bitter fact. In this case, words are powerless. Cindy is in hospice care without pain and resting thankfully. Her endless capacity for helping others and putting them before herself is at an end but all the people she's helped and who love her would form a line which would stretch as far as the eye can see until it disappeared over the horizon into the sun. Cindy, as you prepare to take that step over that sunny horizon, none of us will forget what you've done for us over the years and how much you've meant to every last one of us. With a heart overflowing with love and gratitude, I dedicate this 1000th post to your unconquerable spirit and your endless giving heart.
With love and mittens,
Your Rickster Rick
The very sentence itself seems completely surreal but its true. In the seven years since I began this blog, I've been posting whatever interested me at the time -- and those of you reading this now were kind enough to visit over the years when something interested you. For that alone, I am very grateful and I hope I've managed to give you a chuckle or present an interesting fact or two. If this 1000th post can be called anything like a "milestone", I feel I would like to dedicate it to one person whom I think first started me on this road.
In 1983, my first job was at Rustler Steak House and my first boss was Cindy. After only about three months on the job, Cindy suggested that I might want to start writing a weekly newsletter. I had putzed around writing for most of my life but I never considered writing for a deadline. Yet here I was, taking the plunge and consenting to writing a weekly two-page-minimum (but usually longer) newsletter to be read by all my co-workers and bosses. That newsletter ran from 1983 until the store closed in 1986. Throughout that time, Cindy was nothing but completely encouraging and supportive towards me; I really don't know if I'd be doing this blog or any of the other writing I've done (which include being twice published in national magazines) if it hadn't been for her early support. So, there you have it -- a place to lay the credit or the blame! In my eyes, writing has been both an excruciatingly arduous process and an immensely fulfilling one which probably has kept me sane all these years. I am extremely grateful to her.
Right now, Cindy is in the process of leaving us. I wish with all my heart there was something I could do or anything I could write to erase that bitter fact. In this case, words are powerless. Cindy is in hospice care without pain and resting thankfully. Her endless capacity for helping others and putting them before herself is at an end but all the people she's helped and who love her would form a line which would stretch as far as the eye can see until it disappeared over the horizon into the sun. Cindy, as you prepare to take that step over that sunny horizon, none of us will forget what you've done for us over the years and how much you've meant to every last one of us. With a heart overflowing with love and gratitude, I dedicate this 1000th post to your unconquerable spirit and your endless giving heart.
With love and mittens,
Your Rickster Rick
Congrats for making 1000 from The Strangest of Places and The Fleapit. A moving tribute to Cindy as well. People touch our lives and are gone in a wink of God's eye
ReplyDeleteand to inspire somebody on any level, especially when done with love and generosity, is an amazing gift.
Many thanks to one of the strongest and most heartfelt supporters of this blog: Weaverman! You sir have inspired me and make me strive more to overcome my natural writing sloth. Your writing is something to aspire to and I thank you sir!
ReplyDeleteAs someone who can say Cindy was also his first boss I can only say I agree with you completely. For nearly 30 years there has always been and entity in my life called "Cindy and Rob" and although that tandem will be separated in this life I can imagine a time and place where I will be going on a trash run or perhaps taking a trip to the warehouse with her again. Just don't anybody tell Jane if she calls.
ReplyDeleteAs someone who was there almost from the beginning (you still foolishly insist on being a couple years younger than me so you didn't start working until later), you know this more than just about anybody else reading this. I'm glad you mentioned the part about "Cindy and Rob" because like you I too feel they were like one entity known as "Cindy and Rob" inseparable. I simply can't conceive of a separation between them. Maybe you're right...if the afterlife for us is a Rustler (like it was a church in LOST), I think we'll all meet up there in the end. At least I can hope.
ReplyDeleteAnd I'm sure that, in the afterlife, Jane will still be calling to see how much longer you'll be before you start driving home!
Tremendous achievement tremendous sentiment. Here's to the next 1000
ReplyDeleteThank you kindly! And congrats on YOUR tremendous achievement as well!
ReplyDelete