Special Day by Richard Scileppi

It was September 21, 2009 and a light morning rain had just ended but enough of a sprinkle to create small puddles as I drove towards Sayville.   No need for the windshield wipers and the sun was doing its best to poke through the clouds.  All I could think about was how this was going to be an amazing day as I headed to my printers office.  Yes, today was the day I was picking up my first published book and I was feeling a sense of pride and accomplishment.

I pulled into the printers parking lot, it was early and there were plenty of parking spaces.  Such anticipation as I entered the print shop.  I immediately noticed Charlie and darted over to the counter.  We both greeted each other with a huge smile and a Good Morning.   Charlie said, “I have your books right here ready for you”   as he gave me a copy to review.  I saw that the cover was just as I envisioned it. “Aloha – Bayport, Blue Point, Long Island, New York – A Postcard Pictorial.”   Charlie said, “They came out really great“as I turned every page and was beaming on how nicely the pages looked.  Thanking Charlie I left his store to head over to meet with Marianne the owner of Runaway Bay Bookstore in Sayville.  I have been to this bookstore many times over the past decade, but today the bookstore took on a completely new meaning.

I entered her store feeling amazingly happy and nervous at the same time.  Marianne had just opened her store but was expecting me.  Her bookstore was quaint and cozy with small reading areas, tables and coffee tables.  Her cat was in the bay window and she smiled and said, “His name is Harry Potter he likes to greet the customers coming into the store.”  “Let me show you our local history area” as we walked to the middle of the room.  “I made room for your book right here in the center for you”.  Together we filled the shelves.  My book was proudly displayed and I was thinking good grief I hope they sell.   She smiled at me and said, “I have all your information and as the stock gets low, I will call you for restocking.”

I left walking up Main Street feeling very happy and thinking of her words , ” I’ll call you when the supply gets low,” I couldn’t help playing those words over in my head.  Will it be a few days, a few weeks, will I ever hear from her again?

Almost a week past when I received a call from Marianne, and of course I missed the call and it went to voice mail.  “Rich we are sold out, please come over when you can.”   I arrived at bookstore that afternoon.  The store was busy but she glanced up and gave me a big smile.  I went ahead and restocked the shelf as she waved me over, “I have your check ready for you!”  As she handed me my check I did not know if I should make a copy of it, framed it or cash it.

The holidays were upon us and the book was a great success.  I made many trips to the bookstore and was thrilled. The first of January I decided to take a drive into Sayville and wish Marianne a Happy New Year.  As I approached her store, I noticed a huge banner across the storefront.

My heart stopped.  The banner read”ALL BOOKS 50% OFF – STORE CLOSING. “      I entered only to find the bookstore packed with customers and my books had again been all sold.  I could only think is Marianne all right, is she okay?  I glanced over to the counter and was relieved when I saw her.  She seemed just fine but I could easily see her read my distraught face.  Again she waved me over, and whispered to me, “The local history books are not part of the sale.” “I’m so sorry I have not had a chance to call you to bring in more books.”   I had a supply out in the car and so brought them in and placed them on the shelf.  She had a moment between customers and I said, “Are you okay”?  She smiled and said, “Yes, it was a hard decision but I’ve decided on closing the store and looking to take some time off before deciding my future plans.”   I realized this was not a hasty decision, and something she had postponed as long as she could.  The more she spoke with me, the more I realized she was comforting me, she had already accepted the closing of her bookstore.

By the end of the month, the store had closed and my friend Marianne was gone.  The bookstore was now empty.  Harry Potter no longer stretched out in the bay window greeting customers.  The community was sad and mournful in seeing our local bookstore close.  The newspapers and community leaders were busy honoring Marianne and her family for the many years of community service to our town.   Marianne, we all miss you. Thank you my dear friend, thank you.

Andy Ronney Words of Wisdom

Subject: ANDY ROONEY….REST IN PEACE!

ENJOY………

And, I’ll bet you thought he was a grumpy old man!
Grumpy, maybe, but very, very wise!

If you will take the time to read these. I promise you’ll come away
with an enlightened perspective. The subjects covered affect us all on
a daily basis:

They were written by Andy Rooney, a man who had the gift of saying so
much with so few words. Enjoy…….

I’ve learned….. That the best classroom in the world is at the feet
of an elderly person.

I’ve learned….. That when you’re in love, it shows.

I’ve learned….. That just one person saying to me, “You’ve made my
day!” makes my day.

I’ve learned….. That having a child fall asleep in your arms is one
of the most peaceful feelings in the world.

I’ve learned….. That being kind is more important than being right.

I’ve learned….. That you should never say no to a gift from a child.

I’ve learned….. That I can always pray for someone when I don’t have
the strength to help him in some other way.

I’ve learned….. That no matter how serious your life requires you to
be, everyone needs a friend to act goofy with.

I’ve learned….. That sometimes all a person needs is a hand to hold
and a heart to understand.

I’ve learned….. That simple walks with my mother around the block on
summer nights when I was a child did wonders for me as an adult.

I’ve learned….. That life is like a roll of toilet paper. The closer
it gets to the end, the faster it goes.

I’ve learned….. That we should be glad God doesn’t give us everything
we ask for.

I’ve learned….. That money doesn’t buy class.

I’ve learned….. That it’s those small daily happenings that make life
so spectacular.

I’ve learned….. That under everyone’s hard shell is someone who
wants to be appreciated and loved.

I’ve learned….. That to ignore the facts does not change the facts.

I ‘ve learned….. That when you plan to get even with someone, you are
only letting that person continue to hurt you.

I’ve learned….. That love, not time, heals all wounds.

I’ve learned….. That the easiest way for me to grow as a person is to
surround myself with people smarter than I am.

I’ve learned….. That everyone you meet deserves to be greeted with a
smile.

I’ve learned….. That no one is perfect until you fall in love with
them.

I’ve learned…. That life is tough, but I’m tougher.

I’ve learned….. That opportunities are never lost; someone will take
the ones you miss.

I’ve learned….. That when you harbor bitterness, happiness will dock
elsewhere.

I’ve learned….. That I wish I could have told my Mom that I love her
one more time before she passed away.

I’ve learned….. That one should keep his words both soft and tender,
because tomorrow he may have to eat them.

I’ve learned…… That a smile is an inexpensive way to improve your
looks.

I’ve learned…… That when your newly born grandchild holds your
little finger in his little fist, you’re hooked for life.

I’ve learned….. That everyone wants to live on top of the mountain,
but all the happiness and growth occurs while you’re climbing it.

I’ve learned….. That the less time I have to work with, the more
things I get done.

To all of you…. Make sure you read all the way down to the last
sentence.

It’s National Friendship Week. Show your friends how much you care.
Send this to everyone you consider a FRIEND, even if it means sending
it back to the person who sent it to you. If it comes back to you,
then you’ll know you have a circle of friends. HAPPY FRIENDSHIP WEEK
TO YOU!!!!!! YOU ARE MY FRIEND AND I AM HONORED! Now send this to
every friend you have!! And to your family. This was sent to me by a
friend.

What Do You Know About Class Reunions

Image via Wikipedia

Ferry For Fire Island

What I really know about High School reunions.  By Richard Scileppi –Bayport, Long Island, NY.

What I really know about High School reunions is they need to be inexpensive, relaxing, and fun.  This past summer I helped plan our 40^th reunion.   I had attended all the past reunions and noticed how the turnouts dwindled.  It was always the same people just different gossip. People were tired of the cost of a formal dinner and loud music.  Everyone wore their high school class picture to identify themselves.  The evening usually ended with silly prizes that went to the couple married the longest, who travelled the furthest, and who was most changed. It was always the same winners.  It was time for a change.  Something we could all enjoy, relax and reunite.

The country was in a recession and just sixty miles west of Bayport; Long Island, N.Y.  were the daily demonstrations of “Occupy Wall Street” in NYC. People were out of work and so many people were just feeling lousy about everything.  This reunion had to be unique and bring people together.  This event had to provide laughter. Faced with these challenges and knowing what we wanted, suggestions came rolling in.

Our seaside town is already uniquely on the south shore of the Great South Bay and directly across the bay is the summer resorts of Fire Island.  I suggested a sunset ferry dinner cruise on the bay with a stopover at Fire Island.   Our local Steins Ferry Company offered a beautiful passenger ferry to our class for five hours at twenty dollars per person, provided we had 75 guests.   They suggested bringing hero’s on board with salads, boxed wine and water to serve.  They recommended after dinner to stop at a local nightclub on Fire Island.  Many of these summer resorts offer music, dancing and entertainment free of charge since they know guests will be purchasing drinks.   Our class was very excited about these plans and with nearly one hundred guests and a total cost of $35.00 it was a huge success.  The menu was upgraded to sliced marinated steak, grilled chicken, Greek salad and fresh seasonal fruit.  Classmates enjoyed the relaxing ferry and informal buffet.  The nightclub provided music, dancing with an incredible top comedian /singer tailored to our class.  The moonlight ferry cruise back to Bayport was the perfect ending to one of the most enjoyable reunions Bayport has ever done. This event is now an annual event!   (The 1^st Saturday night in August  board the ferry to the Ice Palace)

Ps

To all my friends/ family /classmates

Lets hear from anyone out there –  What do you know about class reunions!