A Place Of Honor
Stories
Lectionary Tales For The Pulpit
Series III, Cycle C
Stan's grandfather started a machine repair business that became successful: it had a steady stream of business and a profit was made after a few years. Much money was given to charities and the grandfather sat on community and service organization committees. His oldest son grew up to take over the business and turned it into a thriving regional retail store. The grandfather continued to repair machines.
Business was good at the store and the grandfather made sure his son knew their humble beginnings: a framed picture of the grandfather's first little shop was placed in the front of the retail store. In time, the two grandsons took over the business: one the retail side and the other the catalog side. Dedicated to their work, they worked endless hours alongside their father to ensure the business' success. It continued to flourish.
Stan was at the head of the catalog side. He brought with him new ideas he had learned at the University. He tested things out with his father and brother. He launched new ideas that made the business grow to an international level.
Quiet and unassuming, Stan liked to play hockey and be with his family. He didn't care for social events: he prefered to relax at the lake.
The business grew to a point where it caught an international internet company's attention: the internet company wanted to buy the business. Negotiations were made and only the catalog side of the business would be acquired. It was an exciting time for Stan, but also one of tremendous stress with long days at work. Finally, everything was ready and the change was announced with much pomp and circumstance by the media. Stan didn't care for the hoopla, but he was enormously pleased at the addition of the internet company's expertise and history.
Stan was hoping to get on with his peaceful life once the commotion settled down. He longed for the days when he could go watch a hockey game or when he could linger at the side of the lake with his family. He didn't get his wish.
Once the acquisition was made, Stan was bombarded with requests. Requests for donations flooded in. Stan was asked to be on several committees, to chair a few established ones, and to start a few more. People came to him and asked him if he remembered them from high school or grade school. Could they now do business with him? Factory representatives camped out in the doorway waiting for Stan to come to work so they could start a working relationship with him. Eventually there was a process for new vendors and representatives to follow. Calls were screened and Stan was given a little more breathing room. Still, on some days it was like a zoo.
A college asked him to speak at commencement. A business asked him to partner with them. Several organizations asked Stan to be a main speaker. There was only so much Stan could do.
And what he did was go on with his life. He still answers his own phone at work. He is very cordial but firm when he has to decline an invitation or offer. He still plays hockey once a week. And he stills hangs out with his friends and family. It's just that now it's done with much more appreciation for the time he can spend with them.
Business was good at the store and the grandfather made sure his son knew their humble beginnings: a framed picture of the grandfather's first little shop was placed in the front of the retail store. In time, the two grandsons took over the business: one the retail side and the other the catalog side. Dedicated to their work, they worked endless hours alongside their father to ensure the business' success. It continued to flourish.
Stan was at the head of the catalog side. He brought with him new ideas he had learned at the University. He tested things out with his father and brother. He launched new ideas that made the business grow to an international level.
Quiet and unassuming, Stan liked to play hockey and be with his family. He didn't care for social events: he prefered to relax at the lake.
The business grew to a point where it caught an international internet company's attention: the internet company wanted to buy the business. Negotiations were made and only the catalog side of the business would be acquired. It was an exciting time for Stan, but also one of tremendous stress with long days at work. Finally, everything was ready and the change was announced with much pomp and circumstance by the media. Stan didn't care for the hoopla, but he was enormously pleased at the addition of the internet company's expertise and history.
Stan was hoping to get on with his peaceful life once the commotion settled down. He longed for the days when he could go watch a hockey game or when he could linger at the side of the lake with his family. He didn't get his wish.
Once the acquisition was made, Stan was bombarded with requests. Requests for donations flooded in. Stan was asked to be on several committees, to chair a few established ones, and to start a few more. People came to him and asked him if he remembered them from high school or grade school. Could they now do business with him? Factory representatives camped out in the doorway waiting for Stan to come to work so they could start a working relationship with him. Eventually there was a process for new vendors and representatives to follow. Calls were screened and Stan was given a little more breathing room. Still, on some days it was like a zoo.
A college asked him to speak at commencement. A business asked him to partner with them. Several organizations asked Stan to be a main speaker. There was only so much Stan could do.
And what he did was go on with his life. He still answers his own phone at work. He is very cordial but firm when he has to decline an invitation or offer. He still plays hockey once a week. And he stills hangs out with his friends and family. It's just that now it's done with much more appreciation for the time he can spend with them.
