This is why we do it (received this email a few days ago): Charlie, I was a little 8 year-old boy named Joey who was placed in St. Anns home in Methuen, over 30 years ago. I dont know why I recently decided to look up information on the home, curiosity, I guess. It looks nothing like it did when I was there in Brookside ward in the early 80s. I remember your name well, including other favorite counselors of mine like: Ann S.(who became Ann C. I think), Mark L. (if I spelled it correctly) who I remember tried to style my hair at my request, to make it curly like yours; Ms. F. from the learning center and even the big guy in the lower detention center, Bob P., who we called Poky; as well as my guidance counselor: Howard Marcus. I even remember some of my friends like Freddy and Jimmy, and Bobby S. and often wonder what ever became of them. Despite the confusion and uncertainty of my future back then, I still have many fond memories of loading up in the fleet of old station wagons and riding in the rear-facing fold-out seats on our many trips to Skate-land, the mall and even the movies. My fondest memories involved the annual Christmas parties hosted by the Digital corporation and the anticipation of receiving the gifts we filled out on our wish list. Ill also never forget the Christmas eve when the counselors placed stuffed reindeer on each of our beds as we slept (with one eye open). Of course back then we all slept in the same large room only divided by small divider-walls and entrances faced with curtains. I see youve written some books that maybe Ill read sometime. I do want to say, thank you for loving us, and making us laugh. I was adopted by Paul and Elaine F. back in 84 I think. They, like you, now live in New Hampshire. Because of my adoption Ive been afforded many opportunities I wouldnt have had otherwise, like receiving Christ as my savior, learning to fly and earning my Bachelors degree in Communication. I only understood many years later why my maternal mother made the decisions she made and that I know were in my best interest. I live in Western WA state now with my wife of 16 years and our two beautiful children, Owen and Sara, who I will love better because of my experiences. Ill never forget you Charlie or your iconic gorilla joke, where the giant, menacing, gorilla chases this man through every town and country, clinging to the backs of cars, boats and even airplane tails while finally cornering the terrified man only to deliver that anti-climactic tag youre it! Maybe some day our paths will cross again. For now, take care and keep up the good work. Thank you. Sincerely, Joe F. a.k.a. Joey O. My reply: OMG!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Joey! Its you.... You made my day...my month!!!! So happy to hear from you. And to hear how youve done! I train folks throughout the world on how to better understand and respond to kids who have got off track. Believe it or not...I bring you up at all my trainings. I tell folks that youve got to treat at-risk kids great regardless of how they behave. They deserve and need it. I recount how almost every Friday or Sat. night I would take my group of boys to Pizzaland - regardless of their behavior. And that on one occasion, I was sitting next to this intense, red-headed, sweet, eight-year-old named Joey. Halfway through the meal, he pulled his chair back and looked at me in a very serious way and said Charlie, Im going to remember that you took us here for pizza for the rest of my life. Joey....DO YOU REMEMBER OUR PIZZA DINNERS? Dont ruin my story!!!! Thanks for the nice feedback. It was and will always be a blessing to work with amazing kids like you. So happy to hear how youve done. Your kids are lucky to have such a dad. I need to find a way to get a training job out your way. Id love for you and your family to take me out for some pizza!!!!!! Ive got to run. Will write more soon. Im on mini-vacation in Maine and were going biking in a few minutes. Thanks again for reconnecting! You da man! Your friend for life, Charlie P.S. Tag, youre it!
Posted on: Thu, 07 Aug 2014 19:07:27 +0000