Thank You, Uncle Kirkland!

When our oldest son was in law school, he did a far-from-home summertime internship with a wonderful firm. Law firms require a lot from their employees, yet they also provide great benefits, thoughtful gifts, and valuable opportunities for interns and junior partners to network. Each person is a hefty investment and companies work to retain those they train. In this case, it paid off: after graduating, our son and several in his internship cohort accepted positions with the firm--and despite being actively courted by others, our son continues with his initial employer.

When he transferred to a newly-opened office in a closer market, my husband and I joined our son and his wife to help with the move. The firm paid all their moving costs, even providing a stipend for hotels and any associated meals. More than once, following a blessing over a beautiful dinner, our son smiled as he called out, "Thank you, Uncle Kirkland!"

"I don't know where that came from," he laughed when we commented on it. "But it started with my cohort, when we were enjoying nice meals and doing activities during our internship. We all still do it."

I knew exactly where it came from: our son learned it from his Dad! Decades ago, when my husband worked at a small start-up company with a couple of partners, the men called out something similar on business trips or at company lunches--even at potlucks where company funds paid for a portion of the meal. Our family called it out when we enjoyed some benefit--including when my husband got a well-earned paycheck. Our son grew up hearing it all along, and perhaps he didn't realize he was learning to be thankful.

"Uncle Kirkland" hires creative people to plan and carry out interesting company activities, and periodically they even send packages full of family fun (such as cookie decorating kits) to their employees. I wonder how many realize who is responsible for being so thoughtful. This reminds me to look closer, to see whose efforts are making our world brighter.

Thank you, Uncle Kirkland.

Photos from Cravings Journal and A Spicy Perspective.