Posted On: Sunday, February 28, 2016
Greg, my 23 year-old son.
Running a business requires support. It also provides opportunities for others to make their contribution.
For several years, The Dream Factory Community has had a New Year’s Dinner. Last year, Greg’s girlfriend, Emmy, worked on the Silent Auction with me and Greg came to help out.
He was great selling raffle tickets, and announcing the winners, and collecting the pledges at the end of the night. I was happily surprised at the way he took it on and how easily he did it.
Since he moved back with us, a year and a half ago, taking some time off from college, another area that Greg has developed is culinary expertise. He loves to cook; things like curried shrimp, grilled bok choy, and delicious quinoa salad. He is a natural, and with little effort, he produces dining experiences you would expect from a 5-star restaurant.
When thinking about the food for the New Year’s Dinner, I knew I wanted it to be special, so he was my first choice. Negotiating was a little challenging, since he works most nights as a waiter or bartender, but I was determined. When he quoted the price of what he would make on a good night of tips, I didn’t hesitate–I just said, “I’ll pay it”. Later, he said he was surprised, he wanted to dissuade me with an unreasonable price, but I knew he was worth it.
What could be better? A project that had us working together. He planned the menu, and we went shopping. The back and forth, the new ideas, additional stops, it was a dance of creation and we both loved the dance.
There were some challenges, at the last moment he thought he would have to go into work. Of course he would prep everything that afternoon. Luckily, that got worked out and the night was on. He was amazing; focused, clear, in command of his kitchen. The food was fantastic, plentiful and much appreciated.
It might seem like a little thing. He cooked, they liked it, and he helped me out, but what was going on behind all that simplicity was much more important.
I don’t trust others very easily, and there is noone else I would have relied on to produce such an important meal. Greg later told me he did it, even though he never done anything on this scale before, because he knew it was important to me.
There was a lot that was important to me. Having well-fed guests was near the top of the list, but even more important was Greg’s experience of pulling off such a big job and that he left the evening with an expanded image of what he could do.
We have had a few heart-to-heart talks, where we say, “I love you, I am there for you, I have your back,” but there is nothing like a tangible experience to know it’s true.
It was a great being supported by my son, and awesome to showcase his amazing talent. I look forward to the next time we get to work together.