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Sharing a Letter from our Chairman & CEO

Shari's Berries

Sent on 19 June 2024 02:02 PM

Text Summary Of This Email

Sharing a Letter from our Chairman & CEO
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Last Sunday, Fathers Day, was all about honoring the men who have been our pillars of strength and sources of wisdom as we were growing up and beyond. It was a day to celebrate their dedication and the countless ways theyve shaped our lives, big and small.
Many of us are lucky to still have our dads so that we can show our appreciation in person or over the phone. But even for the fathers who are no longer with us, Fathers Day was an opportunity to reflect on the time we were able to spend with them.
In many cases, our memories were refreshed by paging through photo albums or watching old home videos. But theres another way to reconnect with them regardless of the day by listening to the music that our minds associate with our dads.
Two weeks ago, I wrote about how music is an emotional language that has a unique ability not only to transport us back in time but also to restore the emotions we felt. Within a few measures, a song can bring back feelings of love, comfort, and joy, to name just a few.
I was reminded of this phenomenon when I switched on my car radio and heard The Living Years by the 1980s band Mike and the Mechanics. The song instantly sent me back to 1989, when I listened to it regularly while driving to see my dad, who was in the hospital at the time.
Your musical memories of DadEarlier this month, I asked you to share stories of songs that reminded you of your fathers. The response was music to my ears! The songs ran the gamut from classical pieces to pop, rock, and country and the stories behind them may inspire the entire community to reflect on the soundtrack of their life and the role music plays in all our relationships.
Lori, for example, shared that the one song that makes her think of her dad is Zip-a-Dee-Doo-Dah. She remembers her dad constantly whistling that tune, whether he was working or trying to cheer up the family. It was a song that made household chores more fun, and though Lori wasn't a great whistler back then, she would often sing along.
Now she can whistle the tune alongside him. Reflecting on their special bond, Lori shares:
Im still lucky enough to have my dad around. And now that I can whistle, we can whistle that song together.This will be the 'happy' tune we will play on the day he is no longer with us, and it will bring back all the great memories I have with my dad.
Mary told me a story about her late father and how it was her parents dream for her to play the piano. Her dad was finally able to buy her a piano, and she practiced diligently, making him proud. The song Zorba the Greek always reminds her of him, as he would listen and fall asleep while she played. Mary reflects:
Dad opened my world by giving me the love of music. Even though he has been in heaven for seven years now, I have him in my heart every time I play that song, and I know he is smiling.
Vacation soundtracks
Carrie said that she and her sisters spent much of their summers at Lake Hartwell in South Carolina. Her parents took them out each weekend on the boat, and they listened to beach music from artists like The Swingin Medallions, The Tams, The Drifters, and Chairmen of the Board.
Those songs became the anthem of our summers growing up. When I go back and listen to those songs, it takes me back to being 10 years old, and those times with my dad.
E.V. remembers hating the music her dad played on the car radio during a multi-state family vacation. Today, all the siblings, including E.V., love those songs, which consisted of an eclectic mix from The Carpenters, Roberta Flack, and Donny Hathaway.
We begged for a different radio station to no avail. Decades later, I know every note, every word, and every musical moment by the artists that my parents loved. My mom's been in heaven for six years,but my dad, at 90 years old, says that that trip around the country, and the music that was played, is among his favorite memories.
Songs that bring back memories of dadMany community members who have lost their fathers shared how music still brings them together. These stories highlight the enduring power of music to connect us with loved ones, preserving their legacy and keeping their spirit alive in our hearts.
Gina wrote to me about how her father told her that when she got married, they would dance to Its a Wonderful World, by Louis Armstrong, and how they never got the chance to have that dance.
My dad would always remind me of our impending dance together. I never got that chance. My daddy died young, and I never got married. If I ever get married, I dont think I could have the DJ play that song. That song was for my daddy and me. When I hear it every so often on the oldies station, I think about how much I miss him.
Kat wrote about her father, who passed away in 1999, and how he loved music, played the guitar, and sang songs while sitting around the house or outside by a campfire.On one occasion, he ceded control of the car radio to Kat, and Heart of Glass came on.
He listened to it, tappinghis fingers on the steering wheel, turned to me and wanted to know who was singing it because he liked it. Every time I hear that song I go back to that day in the hot summer, where our journey that day took us to McDonald's for cheeseburgers and shakes.Thank you, Blondie, for such a great song.
It's stories like these, filled with joy, nostalgia, and love, that remind us of the powerful connections we have with our fathers through music. These songs are not just melodies; they are the soundtracks of our lives, echoing with the laughter, lessons, and love we've shared.
All the best,
Jim
Chris
Our community's Fathers Day playlistThank you to everyone who shared stories of songs and their dads. I was so inspired by your memories that I put together a special playlist of the songs. I hope you enjoy these tunes as much as I did!
Lessons from our fathers Traditionally, fathers were seen as the primary breadwinners and disciplinarians of the family. But in recent years, their role has evolved significantly. Today, fathers are more actively involved in caregiving and play a much larger part in raising their children.
Yet, one aspect of fatherhood remains constant: Fathers have always been invaluable sources of wisdom and guidance as we navigate through life. They are the role models who teach us how to face lifes challenges with strength and resilience.
The social media team at Harry & David asked our followers what the most important lessons are that they learned from their dads. Here are just a few of the responses.
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How can businesses make a positive impact on the world?
For Fathers Day, we celebrated dads who make a difference in both their families and communities. Chris Carneal is one such inspiring father. Driven by his values of faith, family, and hard work, Chris founded Booster Enterprises, a company dedicated to enhancing the lives of future generations through school fundraising.
In this episode of Celebrations Chatter, Chris shares his journey into entrepreneurship, how his work supports his guiding principles, and how Booster Enterprises creates positive change for the schools it serves.
Listen to the full episode and be inspired by Chris' story of balancing fatherhood and leading a business. Id love to hear your thoughts and stories about Chris journey, as well as school fundraising. Share them with me at .
Speaking of men: Heres to our health!Fathers Day Week is a great time to remind you that this month is Mens Health Month. Its goal is to heighten awareness of preventable health issues and promote early detection and treatment of diseases among men and boys.
Mens health issues can impact the whole family, loved ones, close friends, and co-workers. If you havent done so already, give yourself a Fathers Day gift and schedule a check-up with your doctor.
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Written by our Founder and CEO, our Celebrations Pulse Sunday Letters aim to engage with our community. From sharing stories to welcoming your ideas, we want to help you to express, connect, and celebrate the important people in your life.
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