From Wilmington's 2013 Good Guy

Dear Editor,

For several years I’ve acted as Master of Ceremonies for Wilmington’s annual Good Guy dinner.  I never guessed that I would ever be the recipient.  I am honored and humbled to have the distinction bestowed upon me, and to become a part of such a venerable group of people.

One needs only to scan the list of previous Good Guy recipients to realize what amazing, selfless individuals each and every one of them is.  I will do my very best to live up to the standards they’ve established.

I am comfortable with public speaking, but I was overwhelmed by the entire evening and found myself a bit tongue-tied when it was my turn to speak.  As a result, I didn’t offer appropriate appreciation to many of the people who deserved it.

Firstly, thank you to everyone who wrote nomination letters to the Good Guy Committee on my behalf.  I was astonished that so many people thought me worthy of the honor.

Thank you to the Good Guy Committee for lowering their standards to the point of accepting me.  Thank you to all the people who worked so hard making the night a success and setting up the hall.

Thank you to everyone who came out to share the evening with me.

Thank you to Mike Caira for his impressive talents as Master of Ceremonies.  Until I walked through the door, I was under the impression that Mike was this year’s Good Guy.  I still think he is more deserving than I.

Thank you to everyone who spoke on my behalf.  I was moved beyond words.

Thank you to my parents, Paul and Kathryn, for being the finest role models that anyone could ever hope for.  They provided me with a safe, happy, and loving home; full of encouragement and support.  If any of the exaggerated praise heaped upon me last Friday evening was justified, it is because of them.

Thank you to my wife, Georgett, and to my son, Michael.  Michael was a wonderful child and has become an outstanding adult.  I couldn’t be more proud of him. 

Georgett and I thank fate for allowing three little miracles to walk into our lives recently.

Georgett is my best friend and the strongest person I’ve ever met.  I applaud her courage, her perseverance in the face of daunting obstacles, and her low standards in choosing a mate.  I can’t imagine life without her.  The praise that was directed toward me last Friday evening should be shared by her.

And, finally, thank you Wilmington.  I am so fortunate to have grown up in this community and there is no place on Earth that I’d rather live.

Sincerely,

Stephen Bjork