The Keep Calm Kit is inextricably connected to my father of blessed memory! My father was someone who was filled with the joy of life and known to have a twinkle in his eye. He had a playful personality and would laugh so hard he would cry! My dad was filled with wisdom too, which he shared with me and countless others, and was willing to hear me out when it was my turn to share some of my own wisdom! He was sure to share his opinions with me no matter what, and when we disagreed (which of course we did at times!) he spoke with clarity, passion, yet always remained calm when he listened and spoke.
If a tie didn’t have a silly design, he would prefer not to wear it, even to work. My dad built a remarkable law practice that he began with his dad. He was known to either be wearing a fun tie or a tie clip on his shirt button without a tie! He loved it when he got reading glasses that opened in the front that he could wear around his neck when not needed. Showing you these cool glasses was a must for him.
My dad was someone I spoke with daily and he always wanted to be of help when needed. When I was in the midst of developing and creating the Keep Calm Kit, my father offered me space in his office to build the Kits as I did not have the space to do so in my home. For the last 8.5 months my father was alive, I had the special opportunity to drive to Brooklyn and work out of his office. My dad was a full part of the KCK process and loved having a behind the scenes part of my building, learning, and growing with the Keep Calm Kit. He was a great sounding board and problem solver as always. And SO proud of what I was working on and of my overall goals. My dad always believed in me from my days as daddy’s little girl until he unexpectedly passed away in April 2015.
At the time I was working in my dad’s office, I certainly was grateful for being able to be around him, his incredible staff that worked for him and for meeting his clients and just being part of a proud piece of my dad’s life. That precious time was the last 8.5 months of his life, which at the time, of course I had no idea. The deeper connections with my dad’s life for those months were a gift that has always given me comfort as I live each day missing him and working to continue to make him proud of the person I am and the work that I do!