way to go big brother!
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Hoppy Easter 2022!
more pics from our epic Billy Eilish concert
a mesmerizing Billie Eilish concert for the ages
The Billie Eilish event this grand dude saw with you, Emma & Haden was live concert #197 for me – (cover & local bands not included). What a night; it was one of the best of the best.
After eating at Hub Hall we tried pizza, fries and Mike’s Pastry cupcakes (meh on all three), we entered Boston Garden and made our way to the Billie merchandise tables where I bought the three of you sweatshirts, hats and socks.
You were all mesmerized, transported to a world of pure joy. For you, seeing Billie is akin to me having seen the Beatles in their early touring years (had I actually done that).
The set designs and special touches were amazing… a giant screen with high resolution images… a ramp Billie walked up and down and into the crowd…colorful laser lights… white boxes images on which images were projected… white paper confetti “snow” released at the end.
Besides being a captivating, thoughtful, oh-so-natural performer, she’s a generational icon, a social activist leading on diversity, positive body image, climate change and mental health.
Only 20 years old!
When she “visited” her fans in a giant lift that rotated 360 degrees, Billie was eye level with us several times. I looked over and said “Billie’s looking right at you!” and was met with “I love you Billie” and “Oh-my-god” screams of pure joy.
I was blown away (boomer talk) with the whole experience. One of my favorite concerts ever in a lifetime of concerts,
So epic being there with you. I’m the luckiest grand dude in the world!
Merry Christmas 2021!!
Dream. Plan. Do it. Work hard. Realize your dream.
I’ve wanted to write and publish a book for decades, always keeping the idea in the back of my mind. “Someday,” I’d tell myself, “when my life isn’t as busy.”
While years passed, I never stopped believing it would happen. My passion for writing – and the joy it has always brought me – was as strong as ever.
I remember the exact day and moment it became real. It was on Friday September 14, 2018, during a long Dover walk, on a still hot, late summer day. I was 64 years old; my birthday was exactly one week away.
”Go for it,” the little voice inside shouted out, ‘the time is now Andy. Make it happen.”
Energized, I put a plan in place. I spent the next nine months thinking about the angle of the book, researching ideas and brainstorming in person with people I knew in Boston, New York City, Naples, Florida and Washington, D.C.. The famous advice for authors – “Write what you know” – helped me zero-in on the angle: I’d write a business book about companies doing “emotional marketing” (head and heart branding). The idea still wasn’t crisp enough; I knew it was too vague. I couldn’t figure it out.
In May, Grammy and I went to France, recharging batteries in Paris and Normandy. In June I had shoulder rotator cuff and bicep surgery at Mass General Brigham; my recovery was long. I got caught up in the busyness of Fall and holidays but never stopped thinking about the best angle for my book; it was always in the back of my mind and I kept refining various ideas. I wanted to write a book that would inspire others, something meaningful.
When New Year’s 2020 dawned, I was refreshed, focused and energized. Something had happened over the last eight months: the book angle was now crystal clear. I’d write about lesser known – but successful – companies making the world a better place, deeply caring about their people, the planet and community. I’d make their stories come alive through the first person perspective of the inspiring founders, CEOs and sustainability leaders who made greater purpose happen. The book would inspire other businesses to make the world a better place, a noble mission indeed.
It was time to Do It.
I researched hundreds of potential candidates, narrowing down the list as the months passed. My first interview was in March 2020. One week later COVID-19 descended upon the United States as it spread across the globe. Everything shut down, communication was difficult, no one wanted to (or could) meet in person. It wasn’t easy getting people to answer emails and care about being in my book.
2020 was a nightmare, but I kept my dream alive, working hard, pushing through barriers, never giving up. I built relationships with companies I didn’t know (except for one, RedRiver in Claremont, NH). I switched to Zoom to conduct real-time video interviews with business executives. By the end of the year, I had written five stories.
2021 was better than 2020, but still challenging. I found five new companies with great stories and built relationships, eventually conducting interviews and writing their stories. By late August, I had written 10 stories (one dropped out).
During a complicated and extremely difficult time in my life, I found the focus and energy to get through the home stretch. With help from key people (Grammy; Amy Pattee Colvin, my editor; Fiona Wilson from UNH and the design company 100 Covers), I created a book cover, finished editing, secured “book blurb” quotes from people (for the back cover and Amazon page) and wrote six other book sections. There were endless readings and improvements. I secured approvals from each of the nine companies, the final step.
On November 9, 2021, on my son’s birthday, The Purposeful Nine was published on Amazon. I was proud of the final product. My dream had become reality.
happy birthday Ainsley!
Happy 14th birthday Ainsley!
You’re an amazing young woman, getting smarter, taller, prettier and more interesting with each passing day.
Killer sense of humor! That’s what you have. You’re always throwing out some hilarious teenage one liner that cracks me up.
Whether we’re swimming, shopping, hiking, zipping or just goofing around, you’re exciting to be around, and I enjoy each and every minute.
Can’t believe you’ll soon be a Freshman… I think you’re going to love high school. It’s Ainsley time! 
Lots & lots of love!
Merry Christmas Ainsley!
celebrating 10 years of writing blogs about you
In November 2011 I started writing stories and publishing photos about my seven grandchildren.
Blogs about you.
I’ve written hundreds of them over the past decade. Every month, every year, for 10 years. At an average of three blogs per month per grandchild x 12 months x 7 grandchildren x 10 years, this brings the approximate total to over 2,500 blogs – if I did my math correctly (always suspect!).
It’s become one of the most gratifying things I’ve ever done.
There are so many special moments – from ordinary to life changing – I’ve been able to capture and share. You’ll be able to look back and read the stories of who you were, what you did, the funny or amazing things you said and how you transformed from a little kid to an adult. It’s my legacy gift to you.
When I wrote your very first blog, 10 years ago, here’s what I said:
I created this blog for you to capture the stories of your life, the ones that express your spirit and feed my Papa soul. It will be a fun ride we take together. You’ll always be a special part of me and I will always love you very much.
What a blessing having you in my life. The moments we’ve shared together will be with me always, even when I’m no longer here. Believe this. You mean everything to me. Love you to Pluto and back. I’m the luckiest Papa in the world.
Welcome Biden & Harris! Sunshine in a devastating year.
Welcome Joe Biden and Kamala Harris! This is a wonderful, sunshine moment in a devastating year.
America voted Tuesday, Nov. 3 and on Saturday, Nov. 7 it was determined the evil forces have lost their job. Thank goodness for goodness. We can’t imagine how much further back America would have fallen if the people hadn’t reversed the evil tide of the past four years.
I want to share a little story about politics and the importance of paying attention.
When your Mom (Clickman grandkids) and Dad (Beaupre grandkids) were growing up, Grammy and I often discussed politics at the dinner table – and honestly, at any time of day whenever important topics came up. We never shied away from sharing our frustrations or hopes for the following reasons:
- We wanted our kids (Tim and Nicole) to understand the world around them and why politics do matter in the everyday lives of every American. People are impacted (sometimes positively, sometimes negatively) by decisions made (or not made) by elected officials. Sadly, many politicians are only in it for themselves, to become wealthy and gain more power. Who suffers? All but the greedy and wealthy, including Planet Earth.
- Grammy and I lived through the 1960’s and 1970’s, two of the most volatile and historic decades in U.S. history. I was 10 when John F. Kennedy was assassinated in 1963; Grammy was eight. I was 15, Grammy 13, when Martin Luther King and Bobby Kennedy were assassinated in 1968. The War in Vietnam was at its peak in the late 60’s and early 1970’s. Every newspaper, radio and TV news program featured the Vietnam war on a daily basis – innocent people were bombed and killed, we saw them shot and gassed on the evening news. A distant Asian nation (Vietnam) was devastated for no reason other then U.S. corporate and government greed.
- We saw and read stories about innocent college students shot down in cold blood on the campus of Kent State by National Guard soldiers. We watched American city streets on fire and political protests by disenfranchised minorities.
- In the summer of 1971, after graduating from high school, and before going to college, I worked in the local office (Somersworth) of Senator George McGovern. He ultimately became the Democratic nominee against Richard Nixon when Nixon successfully ran for his second term of office in 1972. Grammy and I lived through the Nixon years (the worst president in our lifetime until Donald Trump) who was impeached in 1974 and flown out of Washington, D.C. on a helicopter. We saw what happened when the wrong people were elected. We paid attention when women mobilized to gain respect and equal rights and students protested inequities and injustice. We were angered and frustrated when corporate interests and many greedy Republicans (they’re not all like this) took over the White House for 13 years.
- We wanted our children to be on the right side, the side that helps make American lives better, not worse (in an authentic, profound way, not with false claims and hidden racist meanings like “Make America Better”). Politics can be a force for tremendous good, or near consuming evil.
Grammy and I are proud of your parents – they both absorbed those conversations around the dinner table. They paid attention. The seeds we had planted blossomed. Today (and for many years) they’ve understood the importance of staying informed and supporting elected officials who give a damn and work to make lives better.
We’ve continued our tradition of discussing politics together, especially over the past four years. We all know friends and relatives who haven’t been able to express their opinions and discuss politics in the same room – or sadly, the same family – because of the extreme, bipolar, sometimes cruel and uncaring opinions some people have embraced since 2016.
Since the orange narcissist man was elected, the nation and world witnessed the damaging effects of a corrupt, racist, uncaring, negative, money-focused individual (he’s never been Our President; we never used those words). Our country has been isolated and torn apart; the entire world noticed and suffered the consequences. That’s why I worked with Dover Democrats this Fall to help get out the vote at a local level for this year’s Presidential Election and make sure any rejected absentee votes were fixed and counted.
Despite our mutual frustrations and high levels of stress as the Election neared, Grammy and I enjoyed every second of the many active conversations we’ve had with your parents about Trump and his crooked cronies. The biggest highlight? Witnessing a new generation, our grandchildren – YOU – espouse, embrace and support the good side of politics that’s working hard to make the world a better place. You’ve been listening and paying attention!
Remember this election grandchildren!
Continue to pay attention! Never blindly accept anything. Beware of Machiavellian despots and tyrants (look up the words). Read, listen, debate and stay informed. Do your own research and form your own opinions. Get involved and don’t be afraid to respectfully express your views (humor helps). Be a mentor and guide to your own loved ones as the years go by and plant new seeds that blossom for the new generation that come into your lives.
We’re so proud of you!