Do you know Marvin? Or someone like him? The Marvin I know is a wonderful husband, a great father, a hard worker. He is always ready to help out a neighbor.

My neighbor is Marvin Reed. He was a teacher up until about two years ago. He retired, but hasn’t really. He has his own painting business. This gentleman took on the maintenance job of the Bayview West condos.

He is now, and has been for several years, the president of our condo association. This man, that is supposed to be retired, puts up with a great deal from the tenants and owners (it is a full-time job), but wait, he’s retired, isn’t he? Well, if you asked him, he would tell you that he is retired. What is retirement for Marvin Reed? Well, I don’t think he is up at 4:30 a.m. and at the gym every morning as he was when he was still a high school teacher, but I do sometimes see him on my way to work in the mornings, out and about and always busy.

The big reason that I am writing this letter is to let Marvin know that he is appreciated, and treasured, by some of his neighbors. Sometimes it’s easier to complain about someone than letting them know how great they really are. No matter how many times you think you’ve said “thank you,” sometimes it’s just not enough. So, Marvin Reed, thank you for all that you do for so many of us.

LAUNA LINDBECK

Oak Harbor