Chuck is a student at Osher Life Long Learning Institute.  He arrives at the Memoirs Class in a motorized wheel chair assisted by one of the other students, always with a smile on his face and a clever quip on his lips.  He is as welcome as a ray of sunshine and beloved by all who know him.

Having learned to play the piano while an undergrad at Nazareth College, he showed great promise as a concert pianist, but decided to pursue another career.  He went to work at Wegman’s Supermarkets instead and while there met his wife, Marilyn. Eventually his love of children led him to being a bus driver for the local middle school.  To keep the students in good order and good spirits, he would tell them corny jokes, such as: why didn’t the farmer like to tell cow jokes?  because they are “udderly” ridiculous; or why did the cop give the cow a ticket?  because of a “mooving” violation.  When they drove through rural roads he allowed the students to open the windows and shout out to the animals; he would actually lead the chorus of  “oinks” and “moos.” He utilized his musical talent to create Chuck’s Traveling Tunes which he performed at day care centers, schools and other venues in the area and told original stories and played songs for which he had composed the music and lyrics.

In 2009 Chuck had a massive stroke that required emergency surgery to remove the blood clots in his brain.   Doctors gave him little hope of surviving the surgery and living for more than a year; but he was determined to recover so that he could walk his daughter down the aisle and dance at her wedding.  With faith, loving care and diligent devotion to his therapy, Chuck achieved his goal.  Four years later there wasn’t a dry eye at the reception when, as the proud Father of the Bride, he twirled his daughter around the floor on her wedding day.

Through the years, Chuck never lost his spirit or sense of humor, but it was questionable whether he would ever regain function of his left arm and hand.  He continues to strive to live each day to its fullest and to bring joy into other  people’s lives.  At a recent writing class he read this story:

“One of my daily rituals is to give my wife a hug in the morning after I’m dressed.  She usually guides my left arm around her as I hug with my right.  She then tells me to squeeze with my left arm.  As we have been doing this since I got home from rehab, I have been making progress, and most days Marilyn says she can feel the muscles of my left arm contracting.  While volunteering at Monroe County Health I told Darren—who was my physical therapist while I rehabbed there—about my progress, how I can hug my wife.  Darren went and told Lisa, who had been my occupational therapist, the news.  Lisa stopped me in the hallway and said she wanted to try out my hug.  While I was hugging Lisa, a line of other female therapists formed, all wanting their hugs.  As Darren saw this his comment to me was “only you could engineer something like this.”  Everyone enjoyed the “workout.”

Chuck confronts the challenges of his life with a positive outlook and a sense of humor.  He still plays the piano, using just one hand, and jams with a group of friends once a week.  An inspiration to all, he is grateful for each day and gives back to the community for the help he has received.  He and Marilyn have been married 42 years and have two children.  He admits to having a weakness for cookies, any kind, but oatmeal raisin are his favorite; in fact he claims that the Muppet’s Cookie Monster was patterned after him—there is a resemblance.

Every day provides opportunities to give hugs and receive them and opportunities to share smiles, to offer kind words, and to perform small acts of kindness that can make a big difference in the lives of others.  So without further delay—let the hugs begin! How many people will you hug today?  How many times will you share a smile?  Today more than ever, the world needs all the hugs and smiles we can give.