This week is Thanksgiving. I am very grateful that none of my family and friends were lost because of SANDY.
To that end, I am also thankful that I was brought into this world. Over the past few months, I have been reflecting on choices I have made. Things that I have done over the years and things that I have been bless to see (during my travels in the last 25 + years). I'm grateful that my parents brought me into this world because if they hadn't; I would not have done and seen the things that I have. And I would not have my wife, family or my son Giovanni.
One of the things that my parents taught me was not to take anyone's crap; stand tall and be proud of who you are. Let me provide a little background here. At the age of 5 or 6 my parents made the decision to move us from Greenwich Village in NYC to the "country" or as its more commonly know as Howell Twp now. My grandparents own a house that my dad grew up in and spent summers in (the Village was the primary residence). My parents grew up being tough street smart people before deciding that it was time to start a family. Residing in different apartments in the NYC area, they decided that NYC was not the place to raise a family. During the late 1960's and early 1970's the Village was not the place to raise a family. The Vietnamese war was in full swing; the neighborhood was filled with junkies trying to score and you really had to know the "right people" in the neighborhood in order to stay out of trouble. Wanting a better life for their kids and having a home of their own was what they needed. So off we went to the country....
While growing up we always heard from our parents that you should "be leader and not a follower"..."Stand up for yourself and don't take anyone's crap" ...and "always remember that when we're gone ...all you will have left is your brother, sister and your family".
I can remember times when I got in trouble at school because someone teased me or started bullying me (as they call it now)...and my parents saying " don't listen to that person... what do they know...they aren't smart enough to learn who you are or what your about." Stay away from them... but if they push you or swing at you ...hold your ground and defend yourself.
The same was true about learning respect. We were always taught, respect your elders and always address people by their last names ... good morning Mr. Smith...stuff like that. I learned ...well I learn the hard way that your parents friends are called by their proper name. One time in the second or third grade, there was a teacher who my parents knew from the Elks lodge that worked in my grade school. One day I saw him and said "Hi Joe"....well that didn't go over to well with Mr. Joe Cascamo. My parents found out I called him Joe and well let's say that I learned my lesson from that encounter.
Which leaves me to the present day. I have developed my personality from watching my parents interact with other; from my interactions with people I grew up with and jobs that I have had over the years. I have learned to interact with just about any group of people. For example, I my career, I have met with CEO's of major companies who I have discussed their business strategies with me so that I could help them with a technology solution to give them a competitive advantage in their market place. I have been in the trenches with several dozen systems admins working in a data center trying to get servers, racked, stacked and ready for applications. Or just meeting people out or friends who have different jobs ...understanding what they do. I guess you could say that I have a thirst for knowing the how & why of things. But in my 26 years of the IT business, I have never burned a bridge with anyone.
So the lessons and skills that I have learned are what make me who I am today; plain and simple. I'm not going to take anyone's BS especially a relative. If you want respect from me, you have to earn it...its not going to just be handed over to you ...my friends don't expect that ... why should you. And that when I say that I have a lot on the plate...maybe you should think back to when your parents were able to help you watch your kids or do something to help you raise three kids... I only have two ...one of which is grown but the other is just 7 (and will be 8 very soon).
I am a son, a husband and father. I'm dealing with things my parents would never have imagined when they were raising a family. Appreciate the fact that your eldest child had done what he has and bask in the fact that you had a part in it. It does not go unappreciated and its not taken for granted.
Out of sheer love and my son's questioning that I post this. It's meant for one person...but if you learn something about me you didn't know....then I'm grateful you took the time to read this.
For now....hope you had a great Thanksgiving....
To that end, I am also thankful that I was brought into this world. Over the past few months, I have been reflecting on choices I have made. Things that I have done over the years and things that I have been bless to see (during my travels in the last 25 + years). I'm grateful that my parents brought me into this world because if they hadn't; I would not have done and seen the things that I have. And I would not have my wife, family or my son Giovanni.
One of the things that my parents taught me was not to take anyone's crap; stand tall and be proud of who you are. Let me provide a little background here. At the age of 5 or 6 my parents made the decision to move us from Greenwich Village in NYC to the "country" or as its more commonly know as Howell Twp now. My grandparents own a house that my dad grew up in and spent summers in (the Village was the primary residence). My parents grew up being tough street smart people before deciding that it was time to start a family. Residing in different apartments in the NYC area, they decided that NYC was not the place to raise a family. During the late 1960's and early 1970's the Village was not the place to raise a family. The Vietnamese war was in full swing; the neighborhood was filled with junkies trying to score and you really had to know the "right people" in the neighborhood in order to stay out of trouble. Wanting a better life for their kids and having a home of their own was what they needed. So off we went to the country....
While growing up we always heard from our parents that you should "be leader and not a follower"..."Stand up for yourself and don't take anyone's crap" ...and "always remember that when we're gone ...all you will have left is your brother, sister and your family".
I can remember times when I got in trouble at school because someone teased me or started bullying me (as they call it now)...and my parents saying " don't listen to that person... what do they know...they aren't smart enough to learn who you are or what your about." Stay away from them... but if they push you or swing at you ...hold your ground and defend yourself.
The same was true about learning respect. We were always taught, respect your elders and always address people by their last names ... good morning Mr. Smith...stuff like that. I learned ...well I learn the hard way that your parents friends are called by their proper name. One time in the second or third grade, there was a teacher who my parents knew from the Elks lodge that worked in my grade school. One day I saw him and said "Hi Joe"....well that didn't go over to well with Mr. Joe Cascamo. My parents found out I called him Joe and well let's say that I learned my lesson from that encounter.
Which leaves me to the present day. I have developed my personality from watching my parents interact with other; from my interactions with people I grew up with and jobs that I have had over the years. I have learned to interact with just about any group of people. For example, I my career, I have met with CEO's of major companies who I have discussed their business strategies with me so that I could help them with a technology solution to give them a competitive advantage in their market place. I have been in the trenches with several dozen systems admins working in a data center trying to get servers, racked, stacked and ready for applications. Or just meeting people out or friends who have different jobs ...understanding what they do. I guess you could say that I have a thirst for knowing the how & why of things. But in my 26 years of the IT business, I have never burned a bridge with anyone.
So the lessons and skills that I have learned are what make me who I am today; plain and simple. I'm not going to take anyone's BS especially a relative. If you want respect from me, you have to earn it...its not going to just be handed over to you ...my friends don't expect that ... why should you. And that when I say that I have a lot on the plate...maybe you should think back to when your parents were able to help you watch your kids or do something to help you raise three kids... I only have two ...one of which is grown but the other is just 7 (and will be 8 very soon).
I am a son, a husband and father. I'm dealing with things my parents would never have imagined when they were raising a family. Appreciate the fact that your eldest child had done what he has and bask in the fact that you had a part in it. It does not go unappreciated and its not taken for granted.
Out of sheer love and my son's questioning that I post this. It's meant for one person...but if you learn something about me you didn't know....then I'm grateful you took the time to read this.
For now....hope you had a great Thanksgiving....
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