May 22, 2006

Proud, happy

My cousin Mike was asked to give the commencement speech at his alma mater UNH this year. What a proud and amazing moment!!

I just read his speech - forwarded to me by his sister - and tears are rolling down my face.

Congrats, cousin. Ya done good good good.

Posted by sheila
Comments

That was beautiful!

Posted by: Lisa at May 22, 2006 12:04 PM

That is a damn fine speech. I smiled in remembrance of the Aggrocrag. Mike's words reminded me that we are not defined by the things that happen to us but by our reactions to them.

Posted by: Eric the...bald at May 22, 2006 12:06 PM

Excellent speech! Your cousin sounds like a good egg.

Posted by: Saint Russell at May 22, 2006 1:34 PM

I adore you, Mike O'Malley, whereever you are - whoever you are. What an incredibly generous speech.

Incredibly.

Posted by: RTG at May 22, 2006 1:50 PM

Those UNH grads this year were lucky, weren't they? That's a hell of a speech.

Posted by: Steve Ely at May 22, 2006 2:22 PM

Wow, that's great , Red. It's so nice to see a graduation speech that focuses on the students.

Wonderfully written.

Posted by: Mr. Bingley at May 22, 2006 2:57 PM

One of Mike's defining characteristics is generosity toward others.

Posted by: red at May 22, 2006 3:33 PM

Holy moley. Talent sure runs in that darn family of yours. My God.

Breathtaking, Sheila.

Posted by: Alex at May 22, 2006 3:59 PM

awesome.........

Posted by: dave at May 22, 2006 4:21 PM

It's an excellent speech. It's so easy for us to fall into the trap of valuing things that don't truly matter at the expense of the things that actually do. Humor is what's called for to successfully deliver that sort of message, and Mike employed it to very good effect. Talent certainly does seem to run in the family...

Posted by: MikeR at May 22, 2006 4:36 PM

Very good speech and I would bet he delivered the funny lines to good effect. Like Bingley said, he does a nice job of relating personal experience without making it about him.

Posted by: Dave E. at May 22, 2006 4:46 PM

Bingley & Dave - I was really struck by the same thing. What a truly wonderful address. Too many people use opportunities like this to grandstand themselves or their politics instead of focusing on their audience. Mike did a perfect job of balancing humor and wisdom with generous, anecdotal and relevant advice. Well done, Mr. O'Malley.

Posted by: Emily at May 22, 2006 4:59 PM

Mike has some very lucky kids.

Posted by: Easycure at May 22, 2006 8:45 PM

I love the ending he uses, i love the emphases he makes, and i agree with Easycure -- some very lucky kids [Fiona and Seamus].

Posted by: amelie at May 22, 2006 9:00 PM

Runs in the family, I see...

Posted by: roo at May 23, 2006 2:57 AM

What a great speech!

Posted by: mere at May 23, 2006 6:26 AM

Hey I just saw where he threw out the first pitch at Fenway last night too...he's a busy guy!

Posted by: skillzy at May 23, 2006 10:47 AM

Yeah, baby!!! Amazing, right?

Posted by: red at May 23, 2006 10:54 AM