Brogan: The Gift Of Giving

With the elections mostly behind us, for many, our thoughts turn to the upcoming holiday season. For some it is about the frenetic but often exciting shopping adventures, in seeking just the right gift for that special family member. For others, it is about gathering with those we cherish and celebrating in various ways. It is also, for many, a time to reflect upon not just the year ending but our lives. That is the part of which I am especially particular to.

We are all struggling with rising energy prices and the challenges that come with everyday living. As a child, I never realized how lucky I had it. It was a time when I didn't concern myself with paying the rent, putting food on the table., paying bills, and keeping the car running. Like many, I looked forward to the day when I would be an adult.

Now as an adult in the last quarter of his life, I have a healthy appreciation for where I have been, where I am and where I hope to be. I can reflect upon a childhood in Concord, that was never dull and was often almost magical. In my latest book, A Sprinkling of Stardust Over the Outhouse, I compare the Concord of my youth to the land of Oz.

Most of us are deluged with requests to donate to charities and organizations, all of whom are more than worthy of our support and who contribute a great deal toward making our community even better.

There are many charities and non-profit organizations that I eagerly support throughout the year, and I know that we all have our favorites.

This year, I got a jumpstart on the season and headed back to Bishop Brady High School, which I had attended for four years and have many fond memories of. I loved the education I received there, both in the classroom and from the team spirit that Brady embodied then and continues to. In fact, weeks before my graduation, I beseeched Sister Mary Alfred, the school’s principal, to fail me and allow me to remain one additional year.

In the more than fifty years since I graduated, I have returned to the school, located on Columbus Avenue, for a variety of reasons. Whether for the justifiably renowned Holiday Craft Fair, the annual Veteran’s Day remembrance event, to speak to a group of students in the Public Speaking Class, or just to say hello, I have always felt welcomed. In fact, there is a real “Brady Community” that infuses many aspects of my life.

When I returned on Monday, November 7th, it was to give a special thank you to the school I have written and talked about a great deal during my life.

After speaking briefly to the student body, I presented Principal, Andrea Isaak Elliot with a check that represented 10% of my latest quarterly royalty check for my writing. I also made a promise to return, quarterly, to continue to support the school and all that it continues to represent, both educationally and athletically. Few learning institutions can take pride in being able to perfectly balance all aspects of a complete education. Brady does this thanks to the leadership of Mrs. Elliott, an amazing staff, supportive parents as well as members of the community and students who take great pride in what their school represents. Graduates often remember, with endowments and generous donations, the colleges and universities that they had attended. Too often, however, the high school they went to gets forgotten. For me and for others, the high school experience represented the foundation upon which all future experience, whether in education, sports or in life, are built. I cannot imagine my life being as rich and fulfilled as it is, without those four years at Brady.

The year 2023 will mark the 60th anniversary of the opening of Bishop Brady High School. I have already expressed a willingness to help facilitate an appropriate and memorable recognition of that milestone. The school deserves nothing less.

I would imagine that everyone has memories from their high school years that they recall with various degrees of fondness. Without creating personal financial hardship, during this season of giving, consider giving something back to your high school. The level of satisfaction that you will achieve may surprise and delight you.

One of the best lessons I learned at Brady was to always strive to be the best that you can be and then try to push yourself just a little harder.

As an example, I walked back and forth to school daily, making the one mile plus trip in about 18 minutes. Today, more than half a century later, I can do it in just under 15 minutes. Like all the lessons I learned, it worked. Thank you, Brady!