May 08, 2003 1:45 P.M.

A Tribute to Tim

Bellagio Fountains, Las Vegas, taken by J. Mabery

�Creativity happens to people who are not tied up with fear and pessimism.� Robert Schuller, Easter 2003

�A man�s gift makes room for him, and brings him before great men.� Proverbs 18:15, The Bible

I have three great adult children. Two sons and a daughter.

You know how it is when you have a daughter who is growing up and becoming a beautiful woman. There are very few, if any, men on earth that would be good enough for her to marry.

I have often said to acquaintances when speaking of my daughter; �When I grow up I want to be like her!� And I have meant it. I could tell you why, but this is not about Becky.

This is about Tim. He came into Becky�s life when she was an upper class student at California Lutheran University. If this were about Becky, I would tell you how she excelled in school, graduated with honors and went on to earn her masters�but this is NOT about Becky.

Tim: Enter Stage Left. Literally.

It was summer, and the little theatre on the CLU campus was hosting a production of Cyrano de Bergerac. Some of the students participated in the production, and Becky played the part of a lady-in-waiting. It also provided an opportunity for some young, aspiring actors to get further experience in their craft. One such young man traveled from an acting school in New York, to join the cast.

A summer romance ensued. Becky and Tim. And when the play closed, and Tim returned to The Big Apple, Becky�s mom was much relieved. Too much, too soon.

Wrong.

Back on the sidewalks of New York, Tim began to realize that there just wasn�t anyone there, quite like Becky. (Of course! Could have told him.)

Well, to hurry the story along, �the day came when Tim was back in California and a wedding was being planned.

I began to discover that there is nothing not to like about Tim. He is a person who becomes enthusiastic about even the smallest things in life. I guess I will always recall the first Christmas gathering with him. When he was handed his gift, he was almost as excited about the wrapping as he was the present. And it was genuine excitement. I have grown to love Tim.

While in N.Y., Tim had taken various odd jobs in order to keep food on the table, as do many aspiring actors. At one point he was employed as a window decorator for a department store. Out of this experience evolved an artistic talent and ability which has blossomed into the career which is truly his gift.

Back in L.A., he began doing some of the same type of artistic work in stores, then had opportunity to get his feet wet in designing d�cor for companies producing parties and special events. He began to be known for his expertise in foam board design in particular. His garage became a studio, and he, and the garage floor were soon splattered with paint.

He slowly branched out into designing for movie premier parties, weddings, bar mitzvahs, and every type of gala celebration requiring his specialized skills. He learned the techniques of integrating foam board design with floral design, whole concept room design, and coordination with the catering and hosting aspects of events. He was well on his way, from the garage�to the Mirage.

When a new venture was proposed to Steven Wynn in Las Vegas�then entrepreneurial owner of the Mirage, Treasure Island, and Bellagio Resorts (among others)�that a new division of the Mirage Corporation be set up to provide in-house planning and production for all special events held in their hotels, �Tim�s name was mentioned as a key proponent in the new corporate enterprise. Tim, Becky and three year old Christopher found themselves moving to Las Vegas.

Six years later, Tim is Executive Director of Production and Operations for the Mirage � MGM Grand Events corporation. May 10 is his birthday, and it is a �coming of age� 40th for him.

We are all incredibly proud of Tim. But all this is not why I have grown to love him. Let me tell you another story.

One November 11 weekend, when Christopher was about 5 years old, I was invited to accompany the little family on a short road trip back to Tim�s hometown of Boulder, CO, as they were attending a Denver Bronco football game that weekend. (They LOVE the Broncos!) As we drove through Glenwood Canyon on the I-70 approaching Glenwood Springs, Tim suggested we take a little side trip up into the village. He turned, crossing the railroad tracks, and drove uphill, turning left abruptly and circling around to a grassy knoll, just above the Glenwood Springs Train Station. It was approaching evening, and at that time of year, the Colorado air was a little nippy

Tim knows that Christopher is WILD about trains. Any kind of train. And he knew that a freight was climbing uphill, approaching the station in a brief few minutes. Jumping out of the Ford Explorer, he called, �Come on Christopher, hurry!�, and with that, he cupped him up into his arms, and - quick as a flash, playfully rolled together from top to bottom, down the grass on the hill, and then jumped up to reach the sidewalk along the tracks, just as the train was approaching. They waved and the engineer offered his friendly wave in return, with a couple short blasts of greeting from the train whistle.

Why do I love Tim? Because he has achieved tremendous success in his profession? No.

It is because he is kind, considerate and giving of himself. It is because he is one of the most spontaneous people I have ever known. It is because he is a loving father and husband. It is because he is positive, optimistic and a joy to be with. No matter how stressful the circumstances are in which he finds himself, he somehow naturally reacts with an uplifting response. His employees speak highly of him, and his wife is crazy about him. And Christopher�? Oh my gosh! He adores his Daddy.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TIM!

Someday when I grow up, I want to be like YOU, too!

Text � copyright 2003 - 2008 The Homespun Philosopher

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