Dear Friends,
I hope this holiday season finds you well and happy. It is hard for me to believe that 2008 is coming to an end. I for sure did not accomplish all the things that I would have hoped for. I guess I will have an extra long list of goals for 2009.
A few weeks ago I decided to stop nursing along an old wrist and shoulder injury and get it taken care of. For the last three years I have had some of my doctor friends give me an occasional cortisone shot in both wrist and shoulder. It would take away the pain for awhile, but over time the pain would return. I had a similar operation on my other shoulder about eight years ago and it seemed that the recovery time was short before I was back to normal. Now I don’t know if I have aged extremely fast over the last eight years, but I will tell you my recovery this time has been much more painful and slow than in years past.
Today I made my way to the drive thru at the bank to make a deposit. Now my truck sits a little high, and with my left shoulder and wrist still in a sling, I had to lean over with my right arm and reach for the tube to send my check to the cashier. It about killed me, but I stretched out far enough to grab the tube and bring it in the truck. I opened the end and reached back to the tube machine to send it to the teller. Once again, I made it to the slot for the tube; but, the problem was that I had to push the “send” button just 3-4” further away. That is when I probably should have put the truck in park.
After two attempts to hit the button, my shoulder was throbbing. I decided that the third time was going to be the charm. With a deep breath and a furrowed brow, I went for the button--nothing was going to stop me. In the heat of the moment, my right foot slipped off the brake immediately hit the gas pedal. I was still hanging half way out the window. I will not quote the words I said as I sped out of the drive thru like I was robbing the bank. By the time I was able gain control of my vehicle and find the brake, I was past the drive thru by 10 feet. I was in pain. I was embarrassed, and I was ready to speed off and try to make my deposit at another branch. Problem was--my checks were still in the tube at the window. Luckily there was no one behind me; but, the other two drive thru lanes had cars in them. As I glanced back, I saw the other customers laughing uncontrollably. I didn’t dare back up. So I opened the door, walked back to the tube machine, grabbed my checks, and headed back to my truck. No deposit today.
I am so glad I didn’t hit something or someone. I’m not sure why I would share such a stupid and embarrassing story, but I hope that it puts a smile on your face. I love so many things about my job. I have met many great people over the years that I am so proud to say I have so many good friends.
I hope this holiday season will find you healthy and well. Mark your calendars for our EVENING WITH SANTA on DECEMBER 10th . Bring yourself, the kids and grandkids and I promise you will love your gift. I am so appreciative for so many of you that make me a success in my industry. Any accolades and awards I receive are really not a tribute to me, but actually to you. I want you to know that I appreciate all the support. It is SO nice to have many great advocates and friends out there. Please let me know if there is anything I can ever do for you. All the best to you and your family this holiday season and for the upcoming year!
Kenny Parcell
Dear Friends,
In a world of uncertainty and change, it’s nice to reflect on those things in life that are constant. For the past two weeks, I have been thinking about a friend of mine from high school named Dana—or as he likes to be called “Elvis.” He was 28 year old, mentally challenged and working to earn his diploma. My friends and I went to lunch with him, cut his hair and grew to love him. As time passed, we kept in touch.
Since Elvis was unable to drive, he walked everywhere he went. I often saw him walking from Provo to Orem and back again in a day. Even in the heat of summer, he wore a long trench coat and a flannel shirt just in case he got caught in a rainstorm. When I was able to, I gave him rides. You might think that the walking or the heat would get him down, but Elvis was always happy and in high spirits so I enjoyed the chance to visit. I know he had a very little material wealth, but he always seemed excited about life.
When I got married, my wife and I invited Elvis to our reception. He was so excited. Elvis didn’t get invited to many weddings, so he made the most out of this one. He came through the reception and food lines four times—always cutting into the front of each line. The first time through, he handed me a card and said, “I love you, buddy.”
When the reception was over and the dust settled, Heather and I opened his card. It was a simple card with $10 enclosed. We thought that it was nice of Elvis not only to come to the reception but to also bring a gift. We didn’t think much more about it though.
Two month later, Heather and I saw Elvis walking again. We stopped to give him a ride and began talking. He said he was helping his mom run a daycare and she was paying him. We asked, “How much?” “$2” was his reply. “$2 an hour?” we asked in shock. How could anyone live on that? Elvis proudly replied, “No, $2 a day.”
The rest of the ride was pretty quiet. This unassuming young man had excitedly given a weeks wage to us. He definitely needed the money more than we did; yet, he didn’t expect or want anything in return. He was just excited to be able to bring a gift.
I often think about Elvis. How happy would I be if I had to walk from Provo to Orem each day—rain or shine? Would I be willing to give someone a weeks worth of pay? How refreshing it is to see the kind of generosity and genuine charity that Elvis shares. It is nice to know that in the turbulent world we live I, there are still wonderful people sharing all they have—and they never change.
Have a great month!
Kenny Parcell
Dear Friends,
I hope this summer finds you well and happy. It is hard to believe that the year is half way over. Where does the time go?
I recently attended a conference in Washington DC and heard a story that I would like to share. A husband is watching his wife prepare a roast for Sunday dinner. He noticed that every time his wife cooked a Sunday roast, she had a specific order in which she did things. She would season and seare the roast on all sides in a frying pan. Then she put a layer of gravy at the bottom of the roasting pan. Next, she laid the potatoes all facing the same direction and seasoned the tops of them. The roast was placed on top of the potatoes and carrots and onions were stacked around it. She would then pour more gravy on top until it was about an inch from the top of the pan. Her final step would be to cut a strip off the top of the roast about the size of a dollar bill and throw it in the trash. The lid was then placed on top of the pan and the roast was cooked for the desired time.
Now, the husband was curious about this ritual--especially why at the very end she would cut off the strip on the top and throw it away. He asked his wife and her reply was “I am really not sure; but, I think it is to let the juices rise to the top and make the meat more tendered. I am not sure though. This is just how my mom taught me to do it.” The explanation sounded good to him and he didn’t think much of it until the next week when he ate at his mother in-law’s home for Sunday dinner.
As he sat there visiting, he was quite surprised to see the exact same steps were followed as he watched the roast being prepared. It even tasted the same as the roast he had eaten just a week before. At dinner he asked the same question to his mother-in-law. “Why do you cut the strip off the top of the roast right before you put the lid on and put it in the oven and throw it away?” “I’m not sure. I was just taught to do it that way by my mother. I think it is so the meat cooks better,” she replied. The husband’s curiosity couldn’t take it any longer, so he picked up his phone and called his wife’s grandmother. He asked her about the ritual that she had passed down. Why do you cut the sliver of meat off the top of the roast before it goes into the oven?” “I used to do it that way for years but I don’t do it anymore.” Was the grandmother’s reply. “WHY” asked the husband. “Because I broke my old pot and bought a bigger one. Now my roast fits in it just fine.”
I share this story because it made me think about what traditions I am teaching my three young children. When you really think about it, what we do today has a lasting effect on not just us, but on the people we have contact with each and every day. Whether it is traditions and habits of brushing teeth, praying, giving service, saving money, working hard or whatever it may be. These habit or traditions are passed on—good & bad. I hope to do a better job of encouraging the people I associate myself with to have more good habits and traditions to pass on--particularly my kids. I am grateful to have had so many people help me make some of the traditions I now use in my life today.
I hope your summer is going well. Please let me know if there is anything I can ever do for you. I am never too busy to answer a question or to help one of your referrals. Wishing you the very best as always.
Love,
Kenny Parcell
