A
TALL MAN ~
a poem by
Lorraine
Freedle
A
year ago,
on South
Second Street,
there was
a ribbon
cutting
ceremony
for a local
agency named
TeamBuilders.
A small
group of
onlookers
watched
as a tall
man proudly
cut a large,
red ribbon
in two.
It was a
birth – a
beginning – an
unknown
path.
The
witnesses
didn’t
number
enough
to consume
the Tamales
prepared
for the
occasion,
but still
the tall
man was
genuinely
honored
by their
presence.
He acted
as if
the whole
world
were watching
this special
moment
in time.
Perhaps
the presence
of his
newborn
daughter
was the
presence
of the
whole
world
to
him.
In
the
days and
months
to follow
I watched
this
tall
man
faithfully
work
to meet
the
needs
of
his
community – one
child,
and
one staff
member
at a
time. He
worked
three
jobs
because
he knew
the
agency
was
too
young
to support
him,
but
he never
complained.
Instead,
he found
the
time
to weave
a small,
but
sturdy
fishing
net
the
only
way
he knew
how – with
duck
tape!
Each
time
he threw
this
fishing
net
into
the
vast
ocean
it would
bring
him
food
for
TeamBuilders.
And
each
time
he
was
successful
with
another
cast,
he looked
like
his
son,
Ryan,
catching
a fish
for
the
very
first
time.
As
TeamBuilders
grew
exponentially
there
were
many
nights
this
tall
man
lay
restless
with
worry
over
a
particular
child – or
a particular
staff – or
their
families – or
his
own
family.
He questioned
his
ability
to endure
the
challenges
before
him.
He wondered
if the
receivables
would
arrive
in time
for
payroll;
and
each
month,
by the
grace
of God,
they
did.
Today,
he is
adding
more
chairs
to our
meeting
room.
For
he is
the
maintenance
man
as well
as our
CEO.
In
minutes,
these
chairs
will
be filled
with our
growing
staff – each
of whom
shares
the
energy
and
commitment
of their
leader.
They
will
admire
this
tall
man
I have
watched
grow
for
many
years.
I
remember
the
days
he surfed
the
Northshore
of Oahu,
free
of the
responsibility
he now
embraces.
Today,
in his
sense
of adventure,
many
find
their freedom.
Shannon,
Congratulations
on
your
first
year
at
TeamBuilders!
With
God’s
grace,
may
there
be
many
more
to
follow.
Love
Always,
Lorraine
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