I don't usually feel a sense of urgency about the Yellow Envelope Project, but this week feels a little different.

We recently learned there was an electronic problem with the link for the Yellow Envelope nomination form.  It seems that nominations submitted from late March through this past Wednesday never made their way to us.  Some forms were recovered yesterday and sent to me via email.  This nomination from March 31 was one of them.

When I read the statement that was submitted about today's nominee, I felt a sense of urgency about sitting down to tell his story.  I knew the sooner I told his story, the sooner we could get busy flooding his mailbox with shine.  I hope you will agree that Tommy is a worthy recipient, and that he could certainly benefit from a good dose of our Shine Magic.

Incidentally, the nomination was submitted by one of his former students.  Take a look.

"Tommy's family has been through some seriously hard times in the last two years.  When I was in the eighth grade, his wife was in a serious car accident and almost died, but he nursed her back to health.  Now she has Alzheimer's.  Tommy then got cancer, but even that he got past.  His son moved home to help out his parents and then had to have back surgery.  Tommy helped him through it.  Tommy supported his son through a difficult time and when his son's house was broken into, Tommy rallied the troops to clean it up.  And this is all in addition to being one of the best teachers, mentors, and friends I have known.  Recently Tommy was diagnosed with cancer again.  It is in his bones and his spine is fractured.  I moved across the country this month and I can't go visit anymore.  I would like to send him something (or have many people send him something) to make him smile.  He is so selfless and kind and he deserves to be shown the love he has given to everyone else."

Tommy shines because he is a great teacher, mentor, friend, father, and husband - not because he has had a long string of unfortunate events happen in his life.  I mention this distinction because I don't want Tommy's contributions to be drowned out by his recent string of unfortunate circumstances.  We are honoring Tommy because of the way that he brightens his corner of the world.  The fact that we can do it at a time when he might be feeling down is only an added bonus.  

People who shine can feel depleted and wronged when they give, give, give and still must find energy to deal with what feels like an unfair amount of disappointment and sadness.

Please join me in letting Tommy know that we appreciate the lifetime of good work that he has done and continues to do.  Let him know that we recognize the strength he possesses, despite the adversity he is facing.  Let him know that the way he has chosen to live his life has, in turn, inspired others to live lives that shine.  In short, let Tommy know that his contributions matter.

Do it by putting a short note in a yellow envelope (or in a white envelope decorated with yellow markers).  Place the words, "Yellow Envelope Project" in the return address and mail it to the address listed below.  Make a commitment to mail it by next Saturday when we turn our attention to another deserving nominee.

Shining off until Monday...