If you think long and hard enough, there’s always a history or reason for anything that is substantial in your life. Recently, a friend of mine stated that
“branding my websites and letterheads and emails with my signature was really cool”.I hadn’t put much thought into it after all these years, until just this week. I can remember the exact year and situation it all started.
Back in the 1980’s, I hadn’t had a ton of friends, although the friends I did have were great friends. We were all learning and discovering ourselves and becoming the admiral people we are today.
During those adolescent years, I wasn’t the model teenager either.
I didn’t study much. I didn’t lead the pack and I didn’t always follow the rules.
I was usually was looking for excuses to get out Mrs. Zappula’s homeroom, Mrs. Millette’s literature class, Mr. Dynes history class, or Mr. Szpilla’s math class.
(My earliest of friends might remember the Jeep and how we DID get out of these classes)I put a lot of effort one day into mastering both of my parents’ signatures. That year back in the 1980’s, I could put my mothers or fathers signature on anything that was school related –
including report cards and dismissal notes. (
This of course ended up in another story which could NOT be called “The history of Robert Jarvis”)I also discovered that part of growing up, was becoming who we are today and what we wanted to become.
For me, I identified with my fathers signature. His signature was unique and legible. To me, it also looked powerful and confident. It was easily recognized and it was something for me to aspire to be.
When I looked that signature, I knew the man behind it was honest, hard-working, open to listening to others and he made friends with anyone who came his way.Almost overnight, I started signing everything from Birthday Cards and Christmas Cards to school papers exactly like my dad. It stuck.
It was part of me forever. It is who I am today.So, what’s behind my signature? It’s someone who meant (and still means) a whole lot and tons to me. It’s a remembrance of how I looked up to my Dad at a very impressionable young age.
Over my more recent years, when I would sign on a training document, or a lease/contract, or contingency release, I still think of my signature as one of the many things that my Dad has given me. Even though I don't think of "why" very often, I have NEVER forgotten "where" or "who" that signature came from.
It’s a signature that I am proud of and I stand behind my signature as if it were my fathers. I am Robert T. Jarvis Jr.Robert Jarvis
robertjarvis@anopenhome.com
773-572-2362
http://www.anopenhome.com/
