The Owners' Manual - Issue 12 - Winter 2018

MIKE SULLIVAN (Meriden) This award is a memento that I have kept from my grandfather “Papa”. He was such a great man and a tremendous influence on me – I think of him all the time, and I’ve lived much of my life guided by thoughts of “what would Papa have done?” This little award is very much like him, a quiet and simple expression of love and pride as a grandfather. It serves to remind me always that even these simplest gestures of appreciation, affection and recognition are the most memorable. I could tell many stories of Papa.

His quiet strength. His wonderful humor. His bravery in the face of many trials. His ingenuity and skills as a self-taught craftsman. He loved his family very much and was demonstrative of that love in so many ways. I honor him by trying to emulate him in all things.

NELLIE MARGIOTTA (Meriden) The best “gifts” I ever received were my two children. I was nineteen when my first gift arrived and my second gift arrived a few years later. I was self-conscious to tell people at what age I had my children until I realized these were my gifts. These two-little people gave me a purpose to survive through the trials and tribulations of being a young parent especially when this was not the plan. Goes to show that our plans and our higher powers plans don’t always go hand in hand. JOCELYNTAYLOR (Meriden) One of my favorite gifts would have to be Samantha, my American Girl Doll!What made her even more special was that I was able to share her with my two favorite cousins. We spent countless days hosting tea parties in my Gram’s Secret Garden, playing games at my cousin’s house, and having fashion shows with their beautiful gowns! Not only did I receive my very own American Girl Doll that Christmas, but I was also gifted a handmade wooden wardrobe for her clothes, created by my Gramp who has since gone completely blind. He was a very active artist before he lost his sight and I’m extremely humbled to own one of his creations that was such a cherished part of my childhood!

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