Little Lessons

“The invariable mark of wisdom is to see the miraculous in the common.” – Ralph Waldo Emerson

In many ways, the day was no different than the many others that preceded it. The sun came up only slightly earlier than the day before, the temperature was nearly the same, and so was the low humidity. Even the days’ schedules were similar.

For the last decade, I’ve been invited to present at the “Fall Mailers Conference” sponsored by the Central Missouri Postal Customer Council (PCC). The event is held at the Lake of the Ozarks in Missouri. For two days, mailing professionals from across the state gather to attend classes, visit with vendors, and network.

The attendees are the real attraction at this event – it feels more like a family reunion than a conference. Greeting each other with hugs, sharing stories of what’s happened over the last year, and creating memories for the future. I’m over 1,400 miles away from my house, but this Bostonian feels like he’s “come home” when he arrives at the lake.

A typical Monday morning. The car arrived before dawn to take me to the airport for a multi-city trip. A friendly greeting from the ticket agent when I checked my bag. No lines meant I could breeze through security and get to my retreat – AKA the Delta Sky Club.

While my travels have taken me to airports around the country, The Boston Sky Club is the best. Maybe it’s because the agents always greet me with “Good Morning, Mr. Fallon” – even before they’ve scanned my boarding pass. Or maybe it’s because of the conversations we share about the important things in life – vacations, time with loved ones, and coffee. They make me feel that I’m more than just a customer.

“We must find time to stop and thank the people who make a difference in our lives.” – John F. Kennedy

Decades ago, my Aunt Jean took me to my first high-end restaurant. She explained the menu and wine list to me, and how to ask for help from the wait staff. After we ate, she went through the bill and demonstrated how to calculate the tip. Since I went to college near her office, my aunt would schedule dinners like this on a regular basis. Those dinners prepared me for the business world as much as my classes did.

It was time to carry on the tradition. Last week, I took two of my nephews out to a nice steakhouse in Boston. I shared what I’d learned from my Aunt Jean, and from the next 35 years of fine dining. We laughed, told stories and promised this would be the first – not the last – time we’d have a night like this.