People Before Possessions
So often in our society people are judged according to how much they possess materially or how much they give away monetarily. Despite a strong work ethic and his tremendous efforts, Tony would fall short in both measures; but by the measure of compassion, he is a rich man.
Tony's highest priorities have never included amassing valuable material possessions for their own sake. He's always dreamed of being wealthy but never acted in a fashion that put prosperity before people. Those closest to Tony know that his income has never been able to keep pace with the generous intentions in his heart. To this day he is more concerned about the financial needs of his loved ones than of himself—even with the prospect of daunting legal defense expenses.
No matter—the best that Tony has to give has always flowed in abundant supply from his heart. Recipients who are likewise “people of the heart” will provide unreserved testimony to the gentle goodness of this beautiful soul.
A special "Thanks!" to the anonymous contributor of a collection of Tony's own poetry from decades past. These pieces give a treasured insight into the mind of a passionate, sensitive, articulate man at the early stages of his adulthood. Watch for the posting of selections in the near future.
Tony Cardiel is ...
... a man rich in
character, who considers himself blessed with the lasting relationships he has
formed through the colorful life he has lived.
... an 80-year-old retired schoolteacher who has served the public with honor and aplomb over the course of his career.
... a father
fiercely devoted to his children and their progeny and always harboring undying
dreams of building lakeside homesteads with log cabins for every one of his
five sons and daughters.
... a sensual man,
a seeker of beauty, and a poet. In his world, all life is to be revered,
violence and dishonesty are sins, guns have no place, and perfection is the
exposed open grain of a gray, weathered barn plank.
... a pragmatist
who can hate a person’s behavior while loving the person, and who will never
give up his belief in that person’s underlying good.
... a man generous
with his smiles, his compliments, his affection, his time, and his cash—often
times more so than is prudent.
... an unabashed
hugger and kisser.
... an admirer of
the female form who understands the importance of propriety and gentlemanly
respect.
... a man who
appreciates a finely tailored suit, the company of a few close friends, the
fast-paced energy of a good action/adventure movie, the intellectual
stimulation of a well-written book, and the warming effect of a cool gin gimlet.
... one who enjoys both cold
winter days and warm starry nights, sandy lake bottoms and clear running
streams, rough-cut wood and polyurethane finish, civilized life and the wild little
creatures in their natural habitats.
... a lover
of all things “family,” having lived so many years as an attentive husband,
involved father, and doting granddad.
All these and more
make up the Tony we know.
Who Tony Cardiel Is Not:
He is not a profane man, nor loud in any way.
He is no vegetarian,
jogger, golfer, airline traveler, backyard mechanic, or computer nerd.
Tony is not a woman’s
libber, Bush-basher, bleeding heart liberal, or neoconservative.
He does not ascribe
to hate, violence, destruction, self-righteousness, tough love, late-night
partying, over-indulgence, self-pity, or big city living.
He is no lover of
guns, chrome, Bambi-killing, ranch-style homes, paint, monster trucks, WWF,
rock music, or tart apple pies.
Tony is not a supporter of any national football team whose name is not exactly seven letters long and begins with a “P” and ends with an “S.”
Tony has not adopted
any identifiable religious persuasion, though living with his born-again
Christian wife has made bible-reading a regular part of his life and the
subject of God often enters into his conversations.
He is neither macho
man nor pushover nor conformist nor seeker of approval.
He is not the elusive example of a flawless human being--not superdad, or superhubby, or
Superman.
Tony is no risk to
any facet of society or to any race, gender, or generation of people, as his detractors have implied.
He is not a criminal in any way, shape, or form.
Tony is not one for
whom it is easy to ask for the help and support of others. Let us do that for him.
