Yesterday, I saw for the first time the May issue of the Grand Valley Magazine. It contains an interview of me by the publisher all about my new book, Success…Swimming in a Sea of. The Magazine has been very supportive of and excited about my book and the article reflects that. I am pleased and hope you’ll all pick up a copy of the Magazine (and, of course, of the book as well).
But another point to make about this Magazine is how beautiful it is and how well designed and written it is. Even the advertising is appealing. This is a definite “item to have” around the house or office, on your coffee tables. You can check out the Magazine by taking a look at the website. www.grandvalleymagazine.com
With all that said, I think I’ll put a short excerpt from the book up as this posting today. Maybe I’ll continue with more over the next few postings. Let me know what you think.
What I am posting today is the dedication of the Book. I dedicated it to Terry Fine and I think you can see why by reading on. Here it is:
To
Terry Fine
Terry Fine, doctor of dentistry, passed away in 2008. His profession was that of a scientist. His life, including his professional life, was that of a servant, and a humble one at that. I first met Terry when I came to Grand Junction, Colorado in 1991 and needed a dentist to replace [the man who had been] my dentist during all those years I lived in Albuquerque, New Mexico.
My respect for Terry grew to encompass far more of his person than just his gentle hands. Terry truly cared about the persons in his world. That was evident not only in how he treated those he was serving professionally, but by his relationships with his staff and his colleagues. His chapter in this book reveals that aspect of his hub, the foundation of his person, far better than I could describe.
In 2006 a small group of men and women in Grand Junction formed what was to become the Grand Junction Time To Think Council, and Terry was invited to become a founding member. The purpose of the Council is to meet monthly and to offer to its individual members the great benefit of the very best, deepest, richest, and independent thinking of each of the Council members on a given topic or issue.
Terry felt humbled to be asked to join; the Council felt honored that he accepted. That’s who Terry was.
The Council meetings typically last about two hours and involve lunch together. During one of our earliest meetings, after about 15 minutes Terry disappeared out into the hall. Upon returning, he apologized and told us he had to call his office to reschedule a patient: Terry had forgotten that we would not be finished by one o’clock p.m. and he had scheduled a patient for one and-a-half hours after the meeting began. Even though our Council was yet untried and possibly unworthy of a busy physician’s rescheduling his patients, Terry had made a commitment.
He was one who honored not only his commitments, but individual people as well. When I was considering writing this book, Terry was a very strong supporter. His encouragement did not stem from any earned merit of mine or of the project; he supported it because I thought it worthwhile. And his encouragement went far beyond simply saying positive words. I asked him if he would like to be the first interviewee for the book. He thought he didn’t have much of value that would be meaningful to others, but he agreed simply because it was my project and he wanted to support me. “If you want me to do it, then I’ll do it,” he said, “I want to support you.” So Terry was the very first contributor, and his chapter is found within the covers of this book. Over the time it took to put this project together, and right up until his death, he frequently asked about its progress and what problems I might be experiencing.
Terry Fine, a true friend and mentor to many.
So I ask you now, after reading this Dedication piece, what do you take away from this story? What kind of person do you think Terry Fine was and what sense do you have of his principles? Extracting the threads that make up the tapestry of a person, is what this book is all about. You can see more at the Book’s website, www.stevegammill.com/book
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