Friday, August 27, 2021
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Mr. John Hinckley,
Summers in Cape Cod and Martha’s Vineyard, taking me to New York and making sure I made it to TRL, etiquette school, helping me convince mom I NEEDED my belly button pierced, taking me along on ALLLLL the golf trips and making me watch The Golf Channel (somehow you knew golf would haunt me for life-both of my boys golf), 80’s music because it “builds character,” you dancing to KISS (Rock and Roll all Nite) at your surprise birthday party (one toe down while shaking your hips!), driving me to the DMV for my driving test, then buying a brand new Cadillac Escalade truck (my dream car at the time) saying it was our family car but we all knew it was for me to drive AND IT WAS, driving me to school in 60 degree weather in your cherry red convertible Corvette with the top down while I was freezing and your response every time “it’s beautiful out,” your car collection (I think we had 10 or so cars at one time) from a limousine to a 1953 Corvette, cruising down Bonita Road with the Corvette Club, attending my cheer competitions, polo shirt and jeans every single day, the way you sampled a new bottle of wine, making fun of your Boston accent and constantly asking you “John, say park the car on Harvard yard” just to laugh my ass off, your love for crunchy peanut butter and my hate for it, throwing me an unforgettable 15th birthday party on the golf course, breakfast at Tomato’s, our dog Buddy, I could go on FOREVER!
When I think of you John, I can’t help but to feel an overwhelming amount of gratitude and love. You came into my life when I was 12 years old and changed my life- I will always be grateful. I loved our life in Bonita, I loved our home and loved you. Although I would have never admitted back then, I learned so much from you, from business to just plain ol life. Instilling wisdom any chance you got.
Thank you for landing me my first job as a hostess at the Bonita Store. You didn’t work there, you had nothing to do with the hiring process, you were just their most frequent customer, but I’m sure you let them know they had no other choice but to hire me! Lets be honest, I failed the interview, didn’t know a thing about responsibility, I wasn’t even of age, but yet somehow I got the job? It was all you, John.
You introduced me to Labrador retrievers and you’d be happy to know that I now have a Lab and he is just as crazy as our Buddy was before we sent him off to boot camp. Labs will always remind me of you- their loyalty, companionship and all of the love they have to give- its all you, John.
I wish that I had an opportunity to sit with you one last time, just five minutes to try to put in words how much love I have for you and how much I appreciate everything you did for me and everything you brought to my life. The reality is I don’t and it is so difficult to accept. But, I will live the rest of my life watching golf, loving luxury cars and being the boujiest of all because of you!
“I heard you got a brand new place, that feels like at least a million miles away, but I hope I get to meet you there someday and we’ll pick back up like no time passed. I pray it happens just like that. When I get there, promise you’ll track me down, and show me around.”
Until then, I’ll keep you near and dear to my heart.
Love you always Mr. Hinckley,
Arie
