My wife and I have been sick. Usually we are sick and tired. Sick and tired of ObamaCare. Sick and tired of representation in Washington with no guts. Sick and tired of representation in Washington that have not backbone and are led around by the nose by Obama and others like him. Sick and tired of more government and less people. Whatever happened to government of the people, by the people and for the people. Huh? What happened. Anyway, we were sick. Thought it might be the flu, but it was an infection and we are both doing better.
Don Dreiske was not a very good example of how a husband should treat his wife generally speaking. He thought that by getting her bigger and better things was love. His life as it relates to wives was not great. However, he is now married to Elaine. He is happier than I have ever seen him and she is a great catalyst for his driven personality and success at all cost mentality. Now retired, they live well and do well. Travel and keep up with the kids and grandkids. He is proud of most of them and is certainly proud of Elaine. She is such a calming influence and such a brilliant mind.
Although his personal life has been a roller coaster in most respects, his life is marked by success in business and he has built some long standing relationships. He was especially committed to his long term employees and was involved in their personal lives too. He had a couple of people who have been, almost, life long friends and still are. He has a friend who was his VP of Operations for decades. However, he has been screwed (that is a euphemism being taught in finishing schools for being taken advantage of) especially so by an employee that he took on when she was nothing, had nothing and was going nowhere. He trusted her, helped her buy homes and vehicles, helped her in many ways. All the while, she was embezzling money from him. He even took that and tried to help her make good. Instead, when he moved the corporate headquarters, she left the company and got her CPA(without a college degree) and went to work for someone else. Guess what? She still stole and served time in jail. She is now a waitress.
I really do not talk to the people who used to work for Don and do not frequently talk all that frequently to Don. Sometimes I wish I were his kid so I could have a paid for house too but most of the time I am just thankful for the experience of knowing him and for the terrific principles of small and family owned business I learned from him. Some of it I learned from him, some of it learned what not to do from him. Either way, I am better for it and indebted to him for being my friend. Thanks Don. Thanks for the memories, the attainment of knowledge, seeing wisdom at work and for learning what not to do all at the same time. Amazing!
What do you think?
Monday, September 21, 2009
Tuesday, September 8, 2009
I'm Back. Now Don personally.
I am back after a short hiatus. My wife and I celebrated our 43rd anniversary with our kids and grandkids and it was very enjoyable. I love my wife and my kids and are amazed by the kind of kids they are. I am proud of them and proud of my daughters-in-law too. Both of them had their own struggles growing up, but are alright and doing well. My grandkids are all in school now and that is fun to see. They are great and doing outstanding in school.
When I met Don, he was living in a small town in Oklahoma where he was well known. He lived in the biggest and nicest house there and had 180 acres for livestock, barns, his office building and his horse operation. He was married to his second wife and he claimed to have 9 kids. Some of the kids were, indeed, his but some were adopted or just strays that had lost their way. He picked them up from time to time and attempted to get them on their feet or reconciled to their families. He was a tough Dad, very tough, probably too tough. None of his kids really wanted to be around him but they were all amazed by him. At one time or another, they all tried to work for Don or one of his businesses. To no avail. Did not work out well. There were some bad apples but now they are all doing pretty well. One is in serious trouble, but he is the odd man out.
If the kids went to college and wanted his help, he would give it. However, if they wasted money or time, Don did not handle that well. In the end, some went to college, some went to work and others distanced themselves from him for a plethora of reasons. But he did do one thing for them all. He bought them a house. One of his kids was presumed to be backward. One he adopted. However, he loved Don and his wife and, even though he did not do well in school, he did well in work. Don got him a house in a very nice neighborhood in a bigger city where he worked. He was so appreciative and worked hard. Sure he frustrated Don, but he hung in there and built a new life for himself and is a great guy.
Don was generous to the local school system and he helped people especially at Christmastime. For years, I dressed up as Santa and visited the children of couples in my Sunday School class. Each year I would go to his annual Christmas Party, in which he invited hundreds, He would provide Christmas presents for all the kids and some of the adults. Then he and I would jump into his BMW and deliver Christmas gifts to kids all over the county that were either not going to get anything or would have a meager Christmas. Some people said he was trying to buy love. Others said he was buying friendship. Possibly, But I think he remembered his life growing up on the streets of Chicago, fending for himself and did not want others he cared for to have that experience.
More later. What do you think?
When I met Don, he was living in a small town in Oklahoma where he was well known. He lived in the biggest and nicest house there and had 180 acres for livestock, barns, his office building and his horse operation. He was married to his second wife and he claimed to have 9 kids. Some of the kids were, indeed, his but some were adopted or just strays that had lost their way. He picked them up from time to time and attempted to get them on their feet or reconciled to their families. He was a tough Dad, very tough, probably too tough. None of his kids really wanted to be around him but they were all amazed by him. At one time or another, they all tried to work for Don or one of his businesses. To no avail. Did not work out well. There were some bad apples but now they are all doing pretty well. One is in serious trouble, but he is the odd man out.
If the kids went to college and wanted his help, he would give it. However, if they wasted money or time, Don did not handle that well. In the end, some went to college, some went to work and others distanced themselves from him for a plethora of reasons. But he did do one thing for them all. He bought them a house. One of his kids was presumed to be backward. One he adopted. However, he loved Don and his wife and, even though he did not do well in school, he did well in work. Don got him a house in a very nice neighborhood in a bigger city where he worked. He was so appreciative and worked hard. Sure he frustrated Don, but he hung in there and built a new life for himself and is a great guy.
Don was generous to the local school system and he helped people especially at Christmastime. For years, I dressed up as Santa and visited the children of couples in my Sunday School class. Each year I would go to his annual Christmas Party, in which he invited hundreds, He would provide Christmas presents for all the kids and some of the adults. Then he and I would jump into his BMW and deliver Christmas gifts to kids all over the county that were either not going to get anything or would have a meager Christmas. Some people said he was trying to buy love. Others said he was buying friendship. Possibly, But I think he remembered his life growing up on the streets of Chicago, fending for himself and did not want others he cared for to have that experience.
More later. What do you think?
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