Let love and faithfulness never leave you; bind them around your neck, write them on the tablet of your heart. Then you will win favor and a good name in the sight of God and man. Proverbs 3:3-4 (NIV)
Until this week, I worked for the same man for more than 31 years. His full name was “Richard B. Shore, III,” but he was nicknamed, “Chips. ” While some people called him by his nickname, he was always, “Mr. Shore,” to me. In early 1984, I was getting very tired of working as a bank teller. That is not why I earned a Master’s Degree in History, but neither did I want to go to law school which seemed the only other choice besides teaching for a history major. Though I tried to get a teaching job, I was firmly told that in our community, only those who could also coach football taught social studies. I did research for an archeology company part time while working at the bank and was fortunate enough to be sent to the Manatee County Historical Records Library for some of that work. The librarian took me under her wing and sent me to meet her boss, Mr. Shore. He hired me on the spot and often told the story of how I came to work for the Clerk’s Office, “I hired her when I didn’t even have a job for her.” Sometimes, it was embarrassing, but most of the time, I took it with the love and admiration that he intended. The affection went both ways. I was a newly graduated historian still wet behind the ears when it came to working in a political environment. I always knew that I had his support so it made it easier to reach my goals and attain my dreams. Sometimes, I would get so mad at someone who did not see things my way and he was always a calming influence. I knew if he was on my side, it would get done despite the people who might get in the way. I also knew if he told me to let something go he had a good reason even if he could not tell me what it was. I worked my way from the Recording Department at the Clerk’s Office to Manatee Village Historical Park and then, to the Manatee County Historical Records Library. My titles changed as we added more parks and museums, but Mr. Shore’s always remained the same. He served as Clerk of Circuit Court of Manatee County for thirty-eight years. Mr. Shore left a strong legacy in the field of historic preservation and local history museums. It was even recognized with an award on a national level. But, his greater impact was in the lives of those who knew him. He was not the kind to live each day as his last. He lived each day as if it were his first. He was always looking to the future, always thinking, “How can I make tomorrow even better than today?” I think that is why history was so important to him because he knew how much we could learn from the past. My career was based on knowing I always had his support and backing. I don’t know what we will do without him but I know he’d want us to keep wondering, “How can I make tomorrow better than today?”
I'm sorry for your loss, but it sounds like he was a wonderful mentor and friend to you through the years. He taught you that most important question – and now it's your turn to do that for someone else.
I will feel that way when my former boss goes. He came to work after I did here, and retired this year – but we've been friends and co-workers for nearly 35 years now. We almost lost him about 15 years ago when leukemia raised its ugly head, but he came through. He was always my champion at work and I wondered how things would go once he retired. Turns out he taught me a lot about championing myself.