45°
The danger of trying to mention all of you is that someone invariably is left out.
(Then again, the beauty of online is that I can insert you in seconds).
For now, my deepest appreciation goes to Bruno, the deft designer; to JTW, the coolest muse on the planet; to Bill & Martha, for reminding me what family is; to Gina and Rob, for reminding me what forgiveness is; and to Michael, for making me laugh so hard I nearly spit out my Sobe water.
Jerry DeMarco
To Sandy and the FSN (Facebook Social Network), the most powerful marketing force in media, and to Dianna, the most powerful business force on the East Coast. To Ira, for understanding where I’m at right now and encouraging me to keep going; to Susan H., Jure & Kevin, for bringing me work when I needed it most; and to Robin, for all those “atta boys.” To Shauna, for consulting that led me through a forest of uncertainty to freshwater.
To the legal eagles: Juan and his partners, as well as Bruce and Michael. Shakespeare be damned: First thing we should all do is buy those guys a round.
To the commissioner (aka BK), for bringing me into his home and trusting me with his story; to both the colonel AND the major, for trusting me with God-knows-how-many other stories throughout our relationships; and to JLM, who has transformed what began as professional respect into personal admiration. To Dominick: I love you, my brother.
To the people who had the stones to stick by me, unafraid of what people might say or think, as I moved through the roughest professional stretch of my life. I’ve always detested hypocrisy, while standing up for what I believe in. So it means a lot.
Special thanks are in order for the one person who, seeing my self-worth stolen, stormed into the lions’ den, snatched it back and brought it to me, all scrubbed and spotless and shiny again. Don’t you go cryin’ on me now, Miss Chatelaine.
Shout-outs to my extended family — Mal, Lynn, Barbara, Toni, to their kids and all the spouses and young’uns — all of whom have treated me like one of their own from the start. Same for Jim and Bobby, two stand-up role models worth their weight in gold. Thanks to my personal cheering section: “Can Do” guys Marcus, “Stringer” Zack, and Gene V — all of ’em with more smarts than I’ll ever have. To Maura and Gail: I miss you both.
But most of all: Undying love and gratitude to the brightest, funniest, most caring, giving and loving person I’ve ever known, a woman who has put up with an awful lot while I hack away at all hours of the day and night. Thank you, Lisa, for making me want to be a better person. And thank you for being such a wonderful stepmom to Sammy. I get the feeling he adores you as much as I do.
As you said when we took our vows: Never before; never again; not like this.
Hugs for Samuel Gerard himself, who just woke from a nap, said “Daddy, I love you,” and dozed off again.
And shore drinks for the two grandmas — and grandpa Carmine — who never got to meet him. You guys would have loved the little bastard as much as Lisa and I do.
I remember a particular stunt both Springsteen and Prince pulled during their individual concerts years ago. Each walked to the lip of the stage, turned around, and fell backward into the crowd. If only I had that kind of faith, I thought.
At long last, I do — and that’s because of the huge safety net constructed around me by extremely kind, caring, generous people. That includes you, Erica: You always make me feel empowered.
Thanks doesn’t cut it, you guys, not after all you given me. So do me a favor:
Pick a quiet moment to sit. Clear your thoughts best you can, releasing them as they pass through.
Somewhere in there, as you near mindfulness, you’ll feel something.
That’ll be my heart hugging yours.
Adoringly,
Jerry
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