I think the first time I was old enough to understand the concept of an angel was when I looked at a nativity scene depicted on a Christmas card where two-winged figures were looking over the shoulders of Jesus Christ’s parents at their child in a manger. I didn’t know if this was strictly a Catholic thing, as none of my Jewish friends ever mentioned anything about having an angel of their own. I naturally assumed that to be an angel, you had to wear a white gown of sorts and wings any bird would envy. As I got a bit older and started losing my baby teeth, I was introduced to a nighttime visitor known as the Fairy Godmother. Sometime during my sleep, she would recycle my teeth and leave me with a quarter under my pillow. At that time, I wish I had more teeth to redeem, as a quarter was a lot of money for a child back then. I found out she, too, had wings, which was confusing, as she had wings, but was called a fairy instead of an angel. They both seemed nice, so the only common denominator I could figure out was that there had to be something in the wings, since neither appeared to be able to fly. Years later, I learned it was better to be considered an angel than a fairy, but I still associated angels with wings, which disqualified me.
For the longest time, I couldn’t figure out what the qualifications were for being an angel, as I never met one, and most of my friends and I made too many mistakes along the way to be remotely considered for “angelhood.” However, things changed the first time I heard my mother refer to someone as an angel. Imagine the look on my face when I saw my first one in real life, and no wings! Guess like Jesus, who wasn’t recognized as anything special by those in his hometown, there didn’t seem to be anything particularly special about the lady my mother was referring to. It was then that I started to understand what it meant to be an angel.
Given what makes someone an angel in the eyes of others, I think the first one I met was my mom. She was kind, patient, encouraging, and saw the best in others. I never heard her say an unkind word about anyone. While you may know others who embody the same qualities, it was her act of honesty that left an indelible impression on me. Years ago, when I was in my pre-teen years, our church was having a raffle, and the grand prize was a new Volvo automobile. A very prestigious prize back then. A dear friend of my mother’s had left to visit family in California and couldn’t purchase a ticket before she left. She asked if my mother would purchase one for her, along with one my mother purchased for herself. As luck would have it, one of the two tickets my mother purchased was the winning ticket, and when everyone congratulated my mother, she replied, “That was the ticket I bought for Dorothy.” As you can imagine, those who approached my mother said, “Dorothy would never know,” but my mom replied, “I would.” There would be many other examples I learned from her over the years, but her act of kindness and honesty was a hallmark moment for me, not to mention a tremendous life lesson.
Recently, our church here in Punta Gorda lost its Pastor who passed away in his sleep. His name was Father Jerome Kaywell, or Father Jerry as he was known to us. A Grammy Award recipient, composer, songwriter, and cancer survivor, who was one of the kindest souls you could meet. I had an opportunity years ago to interview Father Jerry for one of our monthly newsletters and felt the presence of someone uniquely special. He often used the term “mysticism” as part of his spiritual belief, which transcended the personality traits we have grown accustomed. He thought on a higher level. He wanted the church to think and embrace a higher level of thinking and understanding, where we would be more accepting of others, particularly those who didn’t necessarily share our core values. At 72 years of age, he was taken too early from us, but he impacted so many lives. He often confided in close associates his desire to be acknowledged as a Saint, which to me takes Angelhood to a whole new level. I don’t think you can find anyone who doesn’t feel they are a better person for knowing Father Jerry, and I count myself as one.
As I’ve gotten older, I’ve realized that those we consider “angels” don’t fit a physical mold. Many times, it’s not their spoken word, but a certain presence that inspires us to be better. It can be through the gifts they share or just an act of kindness that gives us a paradigm shift in how we view the world, fostering a desire to make a difference in the lives of others.
Recently, I attended an awards ceremony hosted by some of the area’s Rotary Clubs held at the Charlotte County Events Center. Several hundred people were in attendance to acknowledge the acts of heroism, service, and support our firefighters, law enforcement personnel, and unique individuals provide to our community on a continuous basis. While each story was touching, with many risking their lives to save others, it was the look of gratitude on the faces of the lives they touched that you sensed would go on to perform the same acts for generations to come.
Of those who were recognized on that special evening, former educator, school community liaison, friend to many, and founder of the rock-and-soul band called the Boogiemen was Mike Riley. In his various capacities over the years, he has touched the lives of scores of people. His band was one of the most sought-after bands in all of southwest Florida, performing at over 180 charitable events over the decades. Riley, as he is known to his friends, has had a passion for the area’s children, encouraging them to pursue the goals and dreams they embody. Always self-deprecating, Riley has always celebrated the gifts and successes of others, and in his acceptance speech for the Charlie Shue Award, he encouraged those in attendance to make our community a better place for the children and to lead by example. It wasn’t the award he received, but an opportunity he would have, while battling a debilitating health issue, to inspire us all.
This award ceremony would leave us one last defining moment, when recipients of the Punta Gorda Police Department’s program, “Do the Right Thing,” were acknowledged. While we think of those unique individuals who impart years of wisdom from lives well lived, it was a young elementary school girl, whose intervention in saving the life of a fellow classmate contemplating suicide by jumping down a stairwell, made all of us realize angels are all around us. With poise and understanding, she coaxed her classmate to safety, with maturity and composure that far exceeded her years.
These are just some of the angels who walk among us each day. Their words may be simple. Their acts of encouragement, when needed most. Other times, it may be a warm embrace or a listening ear. But they all seem to have the same effect in leaving you with a better version of yourself and a desire to touch the lives of others.
This Easter season is a reminder for many of the life one person gave for so many others. It is with that same service to others that will inspire us all to make this world a better place for generations to come.
-Gary Cardillo
We often measure one’s success in life by the wealth they’ve accumulated or the position they held on the corporate ladder. We’ve come to idolize sports and entertainment figures, or those we feel can benefit us as we try to attain success. But is that really the meaning of a “life well lived?” To some, it may be.
Several years ago, Toni approached me to help her find a home for her mother, Lin, a widow living in California. While she loved her life in California, Toni felt that her mom was getting older, and it made more sense to have her move closer to her. She quickly became part of a group of friends we met at St. Andrew’s South Golf Club, a course in the heart of the waterfront community of Punta Gorda Isles. Unlike most women her age, Lin, or as many of her close friends who affectionately called her “Mumsie,” became part of the gang and attended most of the club’s social events.
Linda Warwick was born in 1934 and grew up in the east end of London, living with her grandparents, parents, and three uncles in a small home. The east end of London was where the docks were located, and the River Thames ran behind their house. As a young child, factories were turning into munitions plants before her eyes, and a few short years later, the U.K. entered the war. It would be hard for anyone at five or six years of age living in the United States to appreciate the ravages of war. Still, with London being one of the largest cities in the world at that time and home to the British Empire, it became a vital target of the German Wehrmact, (armed forces). On September 7, 1940, later known as “Black Sunday,” the Germans unleashed their fury in a blitzkrieg (lightning war) with 300 bombers targeting London in the first of 57 consecutive nights that continued for the next eight months. Forced to find shelter any way they could, homes in their community were being destroyed, and with the continuous sound of gunfire and sirens echoing in their ears, it was a sobering reminder that their home could be next. Like so many others, they became “evacuees” and retreated to the safety of the countryside, having to, at times, share a home with other displaced families. While it appeared to offer a safer environment, they could see the glowing fires from the bombing raids in the various towns and cities from afar.
Despite the heartache of war, Linda recalls those special moments during the war when friends, relatives, and teachers would give of themselves to make sure the children were spared as much of the horrors of the war as possible. Later on in life, Linda would reflect on how resilient, tenacious, and determined they were not only to survive but to restore their country to its glory once again.
Years ago, I had a middle school teacher tell our class how fortunate we would be if we could count on one hand the number of close friends we had. As Lin was approaching her 90th birthday on July 25th, Toni and her husband Greg were planning a surprise birthday party for her at a local restaurant, to which almost 100 of her closest friends were invited. Unfortunately, five days prior to her celebrated day, she passed away.
While most people would like to talk about themselves, Gary and Gail have always put their clients first, and their diverse backgrounds have provided their clients an unparalleled level of service and knowledge throughout the past years.