Dear Pat Convery

/

Dear Pat,

I have been thinking a lot about you lately, which is natural because you’re retiring after a long, wonderful career at the Howell Area Chamber of Commerce. The two of us have spent a lot of time together in this town, with our careers — yours at the chamber, mine at the newspaper — running side-by-side for a lot of it.

While I remain sad about missing your official retirement party, I take this opportunity to share some of what I might’ve said had I been there among those raising glasses to you, instead of at home alone, a snotty, sneezy mess.

Had I been among your many fans gathered there, I might’ve said that I will always be impressed by your boundless energy, and generally good and positive cheer. You donated loads of both when I was most in need — and still had plenty left to spare — but that’s not really what I most appreciate about your tenure in Howell.

Instead, I might’ve explained my admiration for how well you did a politically sensitive job in the most non-political of ways. That’s a feat few can accomplish, but you did, and with great grace and humor to boot.

I may have expressed my awe of how you get so much done, including winning lots of awards for the chamber. Seriously, Pat, you’re like the guy on the old “Ed Sullivan Show” who spins plates on poles. Once in a while one of the plates flies off —you’re only human, after all — but that’s the exception, not the rule. And that’s how I picture you: instinctively spinning plates of varying sizes and importance at the same time, dipping in when one plate needs a little extra attention, and stepping back to let the stronger spinners twirl on their own.

And not to sound superficial, I’d be way less than honest if I didn’t mention how I, aficionado of athletic shoes for all occasions, will for eternity envy how you spend hours gliding around town in beautiful high heels; it’s almost as if your feet don’t touch the ground. Your heels are the sort of which us mere mortals fantasize about wearing, but don’t because they leave us hobbling and crying in pain. I had to scoff recently when folks went on and on and on about how amazing Nancy Pelosi was for standing in high heels for a couple hours in Congress. Ha! Pelosi’s got nothing on you, my friend.

I am fortunate to have been welcomed warmly into your orbit, and I am grateful for our friendship. You were one of the first with whom I shared news of my pregnancy, and one of the few I called from my desk moments after I lost my job.

We share so much: turf, interests, information, a lot of friends, (and Dennis Keenon to thank for our jobs). While I’ll never tell stories as well as you (my favorite remains the one about you learning your youngest child was appearing on stage naked), I always remember your advice to me when I was reading a piece I wrote to a group, advice that translates well to life: slow down, and pause to enjoy it when you make people laugh.

I’ve witnessed the power of grace and strength by watching you go through tough times. It’s through some of those tough times that you’ve been at your very best in this community. Whenever ugliness in its various forms reared its head, you were there to help lead the positive, productive resistance, armed with the power of love and truth. Then, when the ugliness calmed, you added another plate and started spinning it to change minds, systems and hearts.

You’ve done all this — and so much more — in this community for nearly three decades because you’ve loved it so deeply. What I would’ve said had I been at your official retirement party is that Howell will forever love you right back.

DON’T MISS A BEAT

Sign up for our weekly newsletter

We don’t spam!

Sharing is caring!

Maria Stuart worked at The Livingston County Press/ Livingston County Daily Press & Argus as a reporter, editor and managing editor. These days, she runs The Livingston Post.