Giving It Your All And Them Some!
August 25, 2015
Written by: P.R. ‘Randy’ Cooney
Publisher, Arizona Journal of Real Estate & Business
On the weekend of July 31, 2015, I loaded up three of my grand kids with their sleeping bags into the car for our annual family camping adventure to a remote campsite about 40 miles north of Payson. Like many of you, I’m personally not an avid camper and I much prefer the comfort of a cabin. However, for many years my brother Shane Cooney and my nephew Billy May drive up two days in advance of our family and friends arrival to set up a rather elaborate campsite: fifteen tents, five canopies, an outdoor kitchen with an actual food storage pantry that is secure from squirrels, skunks, and bears. Every year, all that attend sit around the campfire commenting on the great effort Shane and Billy put into creating this campsite – with many comforts of home. Even others around us who also prefer different forms of vacation accommodations find our campsite to be the closest thing to being indoors while being outdoors; it’s the campsite of all campsites. All of us who enjoy the yearly camping adventure continuously thank Shane and Billy for truly “going the extra mile.”
This year while sitting among the tall pines reflecting on Shane and Billy’s efforts, I recalled a reading of many years ago entitled “And Then Some.” The reading seemed appropriate when comparing it to all that Shane, his wife Debi, his son Phil and nephew Billy do to provide for our family – a comfortable, outdoor living experience. Their over-the-top campsite each year becomes more than just a place to stay – it’s a backdrop to many memorable games, jokes, meals and fireside stories complete with s’mores.
When I returned back to the office the following Monday, I Googled the words “and then some” hoping to rediscover the reading of many years past. After some clicking and scrolling, this insightful reflection written by Carl Holmes, appeared on the screen:
AND THEN SOME
These three little words are the secret to success.
They are the difference between average people
and those who reach the top
The top people always do what is expected…
and then some.
They are considerate and kind…
and then some.
They meet their responsibilities fairly and squarely…
and then some.
They are good friends and helpful neighbors…
and then some.
They can be counted on in an emergency…
and then some.
I am thankful for people like this, for they make the world a better place. Their spirit of service is summed up in these three little words…
and then some.”
The above reflection expresses the value of certain types of individuals within families, businesses, organizations, churches or clubs. Thank you to my brother Shane, nephew Billy and ALL those special individuals out there who make a significant difference in the lives of others through giving all they have… and then some!