For several years when I was a kid, I lived in Indianapolis and my dad lived outside of Chicago in Oak Park, Illinois.
A good majority of those trips up to see my Oldman were on The Amtrak. The train would arrive in the late morning and my Oldman would be standing in the concourse. Most of the time with a big smile on his face. Sometimes he'd have his pierce eyebrow clenched mouth look that his face would make when he was pissed off at me. I'd get that growl face whenever I did something stupid down in India-no-place.
Now that I think about it... I got that growl face more often because I was always in trouble during my Exile in Indy.
I will tell you this, either happy or mad, my dad always said, "I'm glad you are here."
People don't say these words to each other as often as they should. Like my Oldman, I always tell the Shepkids how happy their presence makes me.
Let's try and make this a thing going into October and the end of 2025.
"I'm glad you are here."
It is always welcoming and it doesn't have to be during a crisis. It doesn't have to be during grief or when we face a life challenge.
It could be at the supper table with family or out at the tavern with the guys. Even the quiet times when I see three pairs of shoes scattered by the front door. It is comforting to know they are here.
It is always good to see a familiar face when you are in a strange or uncomfortable situation. Even at the Ace when you are looking for a do-hickey or a thing-a-ma-bob. When the friendly hardware man asks you if you need help. You are always glad that they are there.
Back to this end of the year telling people that you are glad they are here.
How about the spontaneous moments of kindness?
Just smiling at a stranger or letting them cut in line when they have three items and you have fifty. Give that person who is grieving or who is lonely or going through a life crisis a visit. Not a text, not a phone call, but show up unannounced.
Just like Uncle Charlie swinging by when I was a kid. Just like Father Coogan knocking on the door during his Tuesday night walk through the neighborhood. Just show up and make someone glad that you are there.
Our time on the blue marble is limited; let's all be glad that we are here together. My Oldman doesn't pick me up at Union Station anymore to tell me he is glad I am here, but I can still hear those words.
Go do it before it is too late you Chalkheads and always know that this old husky prick is glad you are here.
Another July day in late September. I don't think I have used this much GoldBond so late into the summer and into early autumn. I'm glad I bought that industrial size bottle in mid-August.
Gusto and astonishment today and don't ever forget, I AM GLAD YOU ARE HERE!
