UNFORGETTABLE – YEAH, THAT SUMS IT UP!!!

Once in a life time someone crosses your path and you know it’s a divine connection because no other way would I encounter such a phenomenal human being. (Many folks are flaky, unpredictable, transactional, etc.) Conversely, every now and then you meet someone that is genuine, honest, and full of integrity and character - the only word that can describe him is – UNFORGETTABLE.

Let me tell you about this unforgettable man: I first saw him when I arrived at my Senior exercise class here in Southfield. He looked like a movie star. He invited our senior’s class to participate in a project at Southfield Public School for a particular day and event. Of course I would volunteer as I thought it was a novel idea to have Senior Citizens to interact with young folks. There is such an exchange to be made.

On the day of the event this UNFORGETTABLE man was there, directing and interacting with others. We had a grand ole time as some of us seniors shared our lives on camera living here in Southfield. I forgot the cameras and told MY story. Later I talked to this same man on the phone when he invited me to his office about Senior Reporter – Who? Me? Senior Reporter?! (This is what my oldest daughter does). This would make her laugh out loud; as for me I will try (almost) anything once.

The first day working with this man, he showed me around Cable 15, how shows go on the air, and what he had in mind for me as Senior Reporter. He was so kind and patient with me, as learning new things does not come easy in this season of my life, but he made it fun. I enjoyed working most with him because he treated me as an equal, my opinion mattered as he would often ask me what I thought about a particular project which he is the expert. He is a real leader because what he taught me about his business I wanted to know more and more and never did I feel less than or unimportant. (I think he has a Collaborative Leadership style).

He is also a humanitarian in that one day I was supposed to meet at his office but had some testing at the hospital as they had called me to return as something didn’t look right. Went for my testing and after all was finalized I received a clean report. I was so happy about this good news I wanted to call and tell this UNFORGETTABLE man, but instead, he texted me saying he was concerned and if I wanted to talk, he wanted to listen. (How awesome is that)? In these days, people caring about people?! People they just met?! WOW!

Since that day I have had many days of just sharing what’s on my heart, i.e. religion, politics, race, etc. and he can do the same, and whether we agree or not, we respect each other’s opinion. Why am I doing a BLOG on him?! I’ll tell you why…February 17^th is his birthday and I was thinking about him as he is on vacation but wishing him a Happy Birthday so thought I would do it in a BLOG.  HAPPY BIRTHDAY MIKE TALLEY@Cable 15, you are a JOY to work with and yes, INDEED, you are an UNFORGETTABLE MAN!  HAPPY BIRTHDAY, may God bless you with many, many more!