By James O'Neill
In
this essay, I want to give you a brief snapshot of who I am and what
is important to me.
I
am newly married to a beautiful woman named Kathleen; I have never
been so happy. We live in a nice house I myself built for us in
Riverdale.
I
grew up in New York City. As an Irish-American Catholic, religion has
always been important in my life. I attended Catholic schools and was
active in a variety of church-based activities, including our folk
music group. I became a member in 1981 and led the group from 1990
through 1995. As leader, I was responsible for recruiting new members,
choosing and arranging music, running practices, and leading the music
at Mass. Although the group is no longer active, we still play at
special events and places, including a group home for those with
cerebral palsy. The people who live and work there greatly enjoy our
music, singing and dancing while we play. It is a wonderful feeling to
bring joy to others.
In addition to church activities, I am also active in sports. I
lettered in cross-country, track, and tennis in high school and have
continued to be athletic. Beyond the obvious enjoyment of competition,
participation in sports has provided me with some of the most
important people in my life - my friends. Together, we learn the
values of teamwork and loyalty.
I have two additional passions in life: cars and real estate. I built
my first car when I was 17; it was a complete restoration of a 1965
Mustang. I have built and owned four Mustangs and a host of other cars
since then. I also salvaged my current car, a 1997 Mercedes Benz, from
a flood. I enjoy working on cars; it takes in-depth technical
knowledge, hands-on ability, patience, and an exacting attention to
detail to ensure everything functions when the project is complete. I
also have an interest in houses and real estate. I recently completed
a gut renovation of my house. Although I contracted out some of the
work, I performed most of it myself. I worked under a strict schedule
to complete the house before my wife and I were married, and I honed
my negotiating skills as my fiancée and I created a house suitable
for each of us.
The final thing I would like to tell you will help you better
understand who I am. Every year at Christmas, I make my own cards and
hand-deliver them on Christmas Eve. Over the years, I have made many
cards, some simple, others more ornate. This tradition brings such
great joy to my friends, most of who now leave something for me on my
travels. It also gives me time to reflect on my past year and all I am
thankful to have. During my delivery, I try to identify any major
shortcomings and find ways to correct them. I find this a peaceful way
to welcome Christmas and make myself a better friend.
JKO
