Last Entries in Herman’s Journal I always wished I had more knowledge of my parents’ lives. My mother left a detailed account of much of her life, which Dorothy had the foresight to record on tape. But I know very little about the intimate details of my father’s life and even less about the old coun- try. With this document, I am trying to leave some record of my own life for my family, for my children and my grandchildren. It is not intended for general publication nor do I have any illusions that it merits wider reading. As they grow up and marry and have children of their own, I know this record will become more valuable to them. To my surprise, after writing a good deal of it, I find that I enjoy trying to recollect the chap- ters of my life; however, I am not a skilled enough writer to be able to put down here a good record of the emotional side of the facts recounted. As we all discover eventually, much of life comes to us bearing intense feelings of joy and sorrow, ecstasy and remorse, fear and contentment. I have experienced them all. My wife, my children, and my grand- children have made me one of the happiest men in the world.” -- H.S. Eagle Trace, Coral Springs, FL.
2008 - AUGUST
Today is Saturday, August 2008. For the first time in years, I clicked on the button that brought up this book. Haven’t read what I wrote here in a long time, so I think I’ll just start over... at least, try another ‘beginning.’ I will be 84 in a few months, I still go to the office every day, still working to build the business, still trying to smooth the way for my family to get along better. Every one of them, four kids and their spouses, now works for the compa- ny I founded. Don’t get me wrong. They have been a joy to work with all these years, but sometimes, there are personality clashes. How could there not be? This is a group, my chil- dren, and their spouses, of very smart people. They all have points of view; they don’t always agree. Yet, somehow, at the end of the day, at least, most days, they get along fine. These times, are challenging economic times, maybe the most challenging since The Great Depression, yet, our business, Global Response, is doing fine, all because of them and the people we have hired, which I now include as my extended family. I have, from time to time, thought about stepping away… retiring. But, if I did, I think, I would not know what to do with my time. As things are, the children seem to think that I still have something to contribute. So, in I go, every day. Together, we have all gone further than I would have were I alone in the business. Together...” -- H.S. Eagle Trace, Coral Springs, FL.
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Herman’s Home Office
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