A million lights, a Christmas story
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The man I use to work for, loved to decorate on Christmas. He wasn't a religious man, so to speak but he was a fair man when it came to treating his employees right. I heard him curse once in the eight years I worked for him.
His name was Jim Clark. He closed his business and retired about two years ago. Jim died after 6 months of retirement. He loved fixing up his 15 acres of property. I was his maintenance man and I did much of the work there. I cleared 5 acres of woods by cutting down some of the trees and planting grass.
I would work on his 1957 T Bird and his 65 Mustang in the winter months. Sometimes I would carve an Indian or cowboy with a chainsaw. Jim always kept me busy....even when I knew that business was slow. He could have laid me off but he didn't.
Every year I would start in early November, hanging Christmas lights. The last year I hung them, Jim counted a little over a million lights. He was so proud when people drove though the parking lot to look at them. He loved hearing their compliments, especially the kids.
The last year was 2004. Jim quit decorating because vandals had cut too many lights and extension cords that year. They had cut them the years before but it was never so much. It just got too expensive and disheartening to decorate again.
Jim was more of a friend than a boss. He created work for 15 guys and two gals for many years. One of the greatest things a person can do in life is create jobs for people. He only had 17 employees but he was a man of a million lights.
Jim's lights
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Comments
A heart-warming story. You were very blessed to have worked with him, Tom! You did an outstanding job with the lights, and KCC is right about the vandals. Kids don't have appreciation these days.
What a great story! Puts back your faith doesn't it - that there are angels who walk this earth!
Jim sounds like an amazing man. It's too bad he had to give up his decorating because of the darkness in other people's spirits. Keep your wonderful and enjoyable writing coming!
I'm having heart palpitations over that T-bird!!! It's so sad people have to deliberately destroy someone else's pride and joy. Thank you for sharing this man with us.. many hugs!
Amazing christmas lights and that thunderbird is to die for. How'd you ever get it in that condition? That's gotta be a brand new motor. Liked your story.
He sounds like a great guy. I'm not big on decorating but I know people love it and for someone to ruin that joy for him; it's heartbreaking.
What a wonderful story. I could really feel the emotions and he sounds like a great person.
I have to add--the local newspaper ran an article on Jim's Christmas lights, and he was humble enough to give Tom full credit for the incredible display... Tom--I love how you called him "the man of a million lights"--that's perfect!!!!
i loved this story :) It's not every day you come across a man like Jim. They are one in a milion :)
What a great story, and wonderful memories for you...Your " man of a million lights " is still lighting up hearts with your touching Hub...Thank you.
Thanks Triplet Mom...he was. :)
TamCor ....thanks sweety...I had forgotten about that. :)
maven101....thanks for saying that. :)
Janetta...thanks...yes he was. :)
It has been a long long time since I have worked for any one not considered EVIL. It is nice to be reminded that there are still great bosses out there. What a wonderful hub.
Paper Moon..thanks...he was a great boss....we usually got a week off paid at Christmas. He have us large Turkeys and a large basket of food. We had a game room filled with vintage video games and 19 hole put put golf course to use any time we wanted. We were spoiled.
What a touching story and I can tell by the words that he is deeply missed. It is sad when the world turns to vandalism which is senseless. Loved the car, love the lights.:)
Thanks AEvans...all bosses should be like Jim.
Ah this one made me cry..thanks alot Tom!! LOL
But really what a fun kind of guy...Makes me think of my dad who raised me he was all into Christmas lights and would go all out and we used to work on his 56 Chevy Truck together too. But towards the last few years of his life his health had deteriorated from his bad hips and then he eventually got cancer and died. I remember the last Christmas he could not hang the lights up and had to have my Tio (uncle) Miguel do it. I could see how sad he was not to be able to do it on his own. What a sad thing that your boss passed away. But you can always think of the great memories he gave you and now its your turn to "pay it forward" to someone else. He did it to you and 15 employees right? And now you are sharing a wonderful story with all of us..BRAVO Tom!! =)
Thanks Pachuca213....sounds like your dad was a man of lights too. Thanks for sharing that. :)
what a lovely tribute Tom. this made me remember a Jewish saying - I think i heard it in Schindler's List - and it goes something like "save one life, and save the world entire". I think we can modify it into ignite a light and light the world entire :D LYM :D
I couldn't agree more that one of the noblest things to do is to give someone a job.
thanks for sharing.
Thanks Cris....One of my favorite movies...I love that saying! " I think we can modify it into ignite a light and light the world entire" Cool! LYM! :)
Thanks Benson....I totally agree! :)
Tom, I miss the crazy lights in Ohio..my sister took me down some cool streets this past December, when I was back home for a funeral (one of these days I gotta fly out not for a funeral, I've only done that once out of the three times I've visited the motherland since I moved to cali)
Anyway, this is a touching story. Seems like a nice man! I am sorry for your loss of such a cool friend...fifteen acres...sheeesh!
Here's a lil something to make you laugh..hopefully. =)
Thanks Ixxy....cool...you're from Ohio. Jim was definately an out of the ordinary business owner.
LOL....Loved the Homer video....it will become a Christmans tradition to watch it. Thanks! :)
KCC Big Country says:
7 months ago
What a nice story about a man you obviously admire a great deal, and rightly so! I love it when people enjoy decorating their property like that. I've been fortunate to see a few around here like that. How idiotic for kids to cut the cords! These will be the same kids that will grow of talking about old Mr. Clark's house and how neat his lights were and how they miss them.