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Tag Archives: dailyprompt-2156


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Thanks Pete

Describe a man who has positively impacted your life. Not a bad ask by the daily writing prompt.

I have a very good friend named Pete who early in my professional life probably changed my future accent. He did that by instilling confidence in me. Something I severely lacked at the levels I was moving into.

We started off at a company together in the early 70s but worked in different areas. We worked very hard and saw that in each other. We also had some talent and insights on how to do things better in a changing profession.

We gained huge skills and knowledge working for this company and it was our life. And then the ownership sold it into pieces and tore it all apart. Luckily, we were picked up together by the new firm. I think there were about 70 openings for over 400 people who worked there.

We quickly rose over 2 different areas of production and ended up in management roles in addition to our technical and production duties. You wore lots of hats in the old days. But the time together over 2 decades gave us great opportunities and great growth.

But we had a ton of fun along the way. We worked for a very progressive company and were surrounded by people who also believed in us, and we took that organization through several significant technological changes and much success over those years.

I can’t even begin to describe the pressure and fun we had at the same time. As all good things do, this came to an end, and we decided along with another partner to start our own business. We were successful in starting something that no one thought would even get off the ground. Bigger businesses tried to crush us. It didn’t work.

I went another way, less than two years into it because of personal reasons but that business under him and our partner was very successful for another decade till it was bought out by a daily newspaper.

Even though we separated professionally we have always stayed close. Really, he gave me many more things than confidence. He gave me friendship, support, laughter and guidance in life. He is an incredible human being and one who is very special to me.

He is one of the most quiet but effective people I have ever worked with. He is smart beyond any degree, certificate, certification. He is compassionate and funny. He is a family man, he is an ethical man, and one of the few people I hold in admiration.

Pete has been and still is a lifelong friend. Someone I consider a brother. Yeah, we are close.

Thank you, Pete, for all you have done for me over so many decades of my life. Love ya brother.

The building behind this car is one we started our business together in beautiful Ellicott City Maryland. Photo by Mike Hartley


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Many Men

Describe a man who has positively impacted your life. – A thought-provoking question from the Daily Writing prompt today.

That is hard for me to answer with just one man. I’m guessing a lot of the answers will be a person’s father. Mine passed when I was young and that greatly impacted my life, unfortunately I have few scant positive memories of us together. But in terms of positive impact in most of my life I remember, it’s been a great number of men who impacted me.

I had a young man who was participating in the Big Brother program, and he got paired with me for a short time when I was 11. But that short relationship spurred my lifelong interest in the University of Maryland Basketball program when he took me to a few games of the school he graduated from.

Next I’ll jump to my father-in-law. He always treated me like one of his son’s and I felt that support, love and watchful eye.

Of course, some of my best and lifelong friends. Ones who keep my spirits up with laughter and insights. Ones that make difficult times better by their support. Ones who share sage advice or perspectives that help you with decisions. Ones that have brought some of the best times and adventures.

Professionally I lived between two men who were great positive influence in my career at one point. Both were incredibly brilliant and dedicated. One was about as laid back as a Grateful Dead fan and the other was a hardnosed former Marine. They pushed and taught and mentored and hammered me and I had a great time working for both. They pushed me harder professionally than at any point in my life.

There was another man early in my career that taught me Newspapers could be a good career. That knowledge is important and powerful. At the same time, he showed me how to be responsible with it. And do the right thing. To give credit where credit is due. That being stronger as a team was better.

My son has positively impacted my life. And being he is a man now and has been for some time, so he certainly qualifies as a positive force. He’s honest with me. He loves me. He shares his family with me. He supports me. He enjoys the same sports as me. I haven’t swayed him into my passion for cars or the arts yet, but I still have time. I’m glad to say he is a better man than his father.

It’s always good to have someone show you the Ropes in Life. People who are honest with you, share with you, respect you, are there for you, and have your best interest at heart are true men.

Photo by Mike Hartley

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