[vendtalk] Have a holly, jolly Christmas, Happy Hanukkah and Brilliant New Year!

[James T. Chinn]

Thanks, Kevan.  Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year to you and Bridget.  I 
plan to see you and the rest of the blind vendors at Joe/s gathering next 
year.   I hope that all is well with you and that you are both in good 
health.
My very best to you and Bridget,

Ted Chinn



----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Kevan Worley" <kevanworley at blindmerchants.org>
To: "'Worley, Kevan'" <kevanworley at blindmerchants.org>
Sent: Monday, December 14, 2009 11:44 AM
Subject: [vendtalk] Have a holly, jolly Christmas,Happy Hanukkah and 
Brilliant New Year!


> Hello from Bridget and Kevan Worley,
>
>
>
> 2010 - A year of real struggle for many. I'm sure you have had your share 
> of
> battles and challenges; victories and joy. When looking at the bright 
> side,
> blessings do remain bountiful for the Worleys and most of our friends and
> colleagues. Like many, our company has had some setbacks and both Bridget
> and I have had some health challenges over this past year. But you can't
> keep a good couple down! We remain resilient, focused, optimistic and
> blessed. We are blessed with friends and family, like you!
>
>
>
> Nijat is concluding his fourth semester at the University of Colorado -
> Boulder. He is doing well. We miss him terribly, but he will deign to 
> grace
> us with his presence over the holidays. It will be good spending time with
> "Lord Nijimor" before he heads off to leadership training at the National
> Federation of the Blind headquarters in Baltimore and then back to school.
> Nijat recently attended a seminar at the United States State Department in
> Washington, DC. He continues to be focused on a possible career as a
> diplomat.
>
>
>
> We traveled quite a bit, both for business and pleasure, over this past
> year. A vacation in Palm Desert. A week in San Francisco, which included 
> the
> Golden Gate Music Fest, starring my man, Dave Matthews. We went to Austin
> City Limits, starring my man, Dave Matthews. I took a business trip to
> Nashville; it just happened to be at a time when there was a Dave Matthews
> concert. Are you sensing a pattern?
>
>
>
> This will be the last big travel and vacation year for the two of us. We 
> are
> cutting back so that we can spend more time enjoying home and community; 
> to
> appreciate and be better stewards.
>
>
>
> This past year we did have two trips that we will always remember. We
> visited my daughter, Megan Beth, in Columbia, Missouri. It was wonderful 
> to
> car shop, eat pizza and hang out with her and her boyfriend, Kevin. Kevin, 
> a
> great name, even though he spells it wrong. We also enjoyed a delightful
> dinner with Megan Beth, Kevin, Megan's mother Debbie and her husband Gary.
>
>
>
> We also flew to Fort Smith, Arkansas, surprising my father. Dad was
> instrumental in bringing the traveling Vietnam Memorial Wall to Fort Smith
> that weekend. We surprised the old Sergeant, showing up for all of the
> ceremonies. My dad has been in failing health; yet, he serves as a leader
> (surprise, surprise) in his local veterans organization and on the board 
> of
> the National Federation of the Blind of Arkansas. And he's not even a 
> blind
> guy! Two tours in Vietnam, one in Korea; serving a country dear to him. 
> Dad
> spent many years in management and sales, always at the top of his game. 
> He
> has had a life filled with much accomplishment and great sacrifice for all
> of us. Way to go, Dad! We plan to take a road trip (on the cheap) back to
> visit Mom and Dad on December 26.
>
>
>
> Bridget continues to make our home a castle. I am a lucky man! I am glad 
> we
> do not have to pay by the hour for the home and garden network. Bridget is
> without a doubt the best cook on the planet. And she works full time plus
> for our company. She is my best friend, partner, and all my reasons.
>
>
>
> This past year, as most know, I chaired the Imagination Fund of the 
> National
> Federation of the Blind. I served as part of our Louis Braille 
> Commemorative
> Coin campaign team to call attention to the lack of literacy education for
> blind kids. We also organized the 3rd annual March for Independence on the
> Detroit Riverwalk. It was exhilarating to be a part of more than a 
> thousand
> of my colleagues, marching for change. The NFB remains dear to us. Its
> people and philosophy strengthen me and many thousands.
>
>
>
> In recent years, I have become more and more concerned about the health of
> our planet and the welfare and sustainability of my community. I am now 
> very
> honored to serve as Vice Chair of the Catamount Environmental Institute.
> Catamount is truly a wonderful organization of vision and vitality, 
> bringing
> science based youth education through outdoor experiences. Catamount 
> serves
> as a focal point for sustainability in the Colorado Springs region. 
> Bridget
> and I believe that our planet is hurting. Humans are trashing it for short
> term gain, greed and immediate gratification. For too long, Bridget and I,
> like many people and corporations, have not been concerned enough, 
> cautious,
> conservation minded, prudent stewards of our ecology and community. We 
> think
> an immediate change of behavior is essential. We hope others will think so
> too, because thoughts become feelings which become behavior.
>
>
>
> We love Christmas time! The music, the festivities and the food; it is a
> grand time of joy and celebration. We also feel that it is a great season
> for reflection and evaluation of priorities; a time to take stock of what 
> we
> have and what is truly important. A time for us to take joy in the love we
> have for so many and the gift of love, positive energy, and support you 
> all
> give to us. Believe it or not, we feel it every day of the year. We thank
> you.
>
>
>
> This year, we are not giving "stuff" for Christmas. Sorry kids, nieces,
> nephews. Get over it! You will get enough plastic wrapped gizmos from
> others, I'm sure. Though it won't break my heart if you don't. Most in our
> circle of family, friends and colleagues have enough "stuff", but we know
> that there are many who do not have the luxury of receiving another tie,
> ipod, plastic gift card, or gift basket of unidentifiable spreads on 
> plastic
> tasting crackers.
>
>
>
> Kevan and Bridget certainly do not need a thing. We have taken much. It's
> time we give: to empower blind children, feed the hungry, clothe the 
> needy,
> and preserve our ailing planet. We do not need a gift card from Burger 
> King
> or Wal-Mart, which will allow them to continue to operate under the status
> quo, making no real commitment to the joy of Christmases to come. We will 
> be
> making significant contributions this season to the National Federation of
> the Blind, Catamount Environmental Institute, Care and Share, Community
> Partnership for Child Development, and Home Front Cares. We hope you will
> feel the contributions to these important causes as though they are gifts
> from us to you. To those who may have planned to give something to us, we
> respectfully ask that you instead give to someone in need or to an
> organization which is making our community and planet better for us, our
> children and their children. I would note that Catamount Environmental
> Institute is now kicking off a 100-day campaign to raise $100,000
> (www.catamountinstitute.org <http://www.catamountinstitute.org/> ). It is
> end of year giving time. Better to Catamount than to the IRS, if you know
> what I mean.
>
>
>
> Final random thoughts. Those who are trashing the Dylan Christmas CD - 
> stop
> it! :-) It's really not bad. It's for charity and his whiny, gravel voice 
> is
> backed by a swingin' band. I'm also downloading the new Nellie McKay 
> Tribute
> to Doris Day, new Heartless Bastards, new Loudon Wainwright, and a great 
> CD
> from Eileen Jewell.
>
>
>
> Our wish for you this year:
>
>
>
> *     Enjoy family
>
> *     Buy local
>
> *     Read great books
>
> *     Feel great joy
>
>
>
> Please know that we appreciate you for who you are.
>
>
>
> In the 1990's, U.S. Speaker of the House, Thomas Reed, took care of an
> opponent by observing that "with a few more brains, he could be a 
> half-wit."
> He also said, about another politician, "He never opens his mouth without
> subtracting from the sum of human intelligence."
>
>
>
> "If you have the guts to be yourself, other people will pay your price."
> Rabbit Angstrom, from Rabbit Runs by John Updike.
>
>
>
> Warren Buffet said, "Bad habits are like chains that are too light to feel
> until they are too heavy to carry."
>
>
>
> Orson Wells said, "My doctor said I should stop having intimate dinners 
> for
> four unless there are three other people with me."
>
>
>
> Yogi Berra said, "Wherever you go, there you are."
>
>
>
> It is truly a fun time of year. Happy Christmas from Bridget and Kevan
> Worley.
>
>
>
> Yossarian lives.
>
>
>
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