Last night, I watched the film, It’s a Wonderful Life, with my wife, Risa, and my daughter’s family in California.
I wept profusely, as I always do watching my favorite movie, and my son-in-law, Scott, did too. My oldest granddaughter, Eliana, wanted to know why I was affected so emotionally.
Through my drying tears, I told her how I connected with George Bailey, the main character, who is preparing to commit suicide at the end of the movie. The family business he had reluctantly taken over after his father had died suddenly was in crisis. The evil Mr. Potter was ready to foreclose because Uncle Billy had accidentally lost the weekly deposit that was the sole difference between solvency and failure.
I told Eliana and the whole family that I had experienced moments of desperation like George when Graff-Pinkert owed $2,000,000 and I saw no way to ever pay it off.
I think that brought it home for her. She shifted the topic and said I looked like Clarence, the angel who saved George after George impulsively jumped into the waves to save him.
After that, we disbanded and went off to bed.
Why am I writing about It’s a Wonderful Life in my very first blog of 2024?
I’m back at work after recently celebrating my 79th birthday. Graff-Pinkert’s business is in good financial shape now, but every day is challenging. We face the upheaval of moving this year and accepting the lingering inventory of long-past mistakes.
I am committed to selling off many of the cam multi-spindle machines that used to be the core of our daily business. Their value has eroded, but they could make tons of money for the people who know how to use them. Space limitations prevent us from bringing them with us. The loss will be realized. Our bank may not understand, but they probably figured out these machines had little value long ago. I do not borrow money these days, so I can ignore their opinion.
Then there is my blog and Noah’s podcast. Solely from a moneymaking standpoint, they do not make sense. What they do is set us apart from any other dealer. They embody our own brand.
Swarfcast and Swarfblog are about people, not just gain. Noah and I connect people of the machining world. We make a difference, I believe, like George Bailey in the movie. Our lives are about connection, not just money.
It is why people tell us their personal stories. It is why they entrust us to sell their businesses and their valuable machinery, often just on a handshake or phone call. Hundreds of thousands or even millions of dollars ride on our knowledge, reach, and humor. The blog and podcast are a big part of that. There is no category for it on the financial statements.
I could not explain that to my granddaughter through my tears, but I think she feels it.
Connection with people and connecting ideas. It is what keeps me coming back to Graff-Pinkert, year after year.
May 2024 be a happy year for all of us.
Thank you, George Bailey.
Question: Why do you read this blog?
10 Comments
“It’s a Wonderful Life” is my Wife’s favorite holiday movie. We watch it every year. My Wife and I both own manufacturing business’s and as business owners and families we can all relate. Thanks for this article LLoyd.
Lloyd and Noah – Why? Because, behind our nuts-and-bolts industry are people. People who truly make the world go round. And this is why we do what we do. You bring it to life. Happy New Year!
Thanks Marc!
We do it to connect with people like you.
I think a lot of people relate to how George feels when he’s contemplating suicide. The problems pile up and you don’t know how to cope with them (especially these days). It shows how much each individual affects the world around them and most don’t consider themselves an important part of that world when they are. That movie should be required viewing for anyone experiencing depression.
I too, weep every year watching “It’s a Wonderful Life”, and I can’t even put my finger on why. My wife and I have no children, so it isn’t about family. I think it’s about the purity of the movie. I’m a huge fan of Jimmy Stewart and own a small collection of his work. I’ve been in the machining industry for 45 years, almost exclusively prototyping work. Now I manage the shop and enjoy that a great deal. I snagged my apprentice from our screw machine department before it was disbanded, and he’s fantastic.
I read your blog and occasionally listen to the podcasts because they are entertaining, educational and actually make me think once in a while! I’ve shared your blogs with my group of prototype machinist and they enjoy them as well. You are a good storyteller and your personal views are insightful. I have seen some readers comment that they think you should stick to machining and related topics in the blogs, but at the end of the day it really is all about the people.
Happy New Year!
Hi Michael!
Thank you so much for the kind words.
It IS about the people. And it’s great to see how so many readers and listeners actually understand that.
Besides, my dad and I aren’t very technical anyway, so if it wasn’t for connecting with people and finding serendipity, we wouldn’t have much in the way or selling machines or journalism!
You’re a fine writer who writes about interesting and, sometimes, difficult subjects. I connect with you on that level. I think the messages from It’s a Wonderful Life make it one of my favorite movies. George was a difference maker to those around him and his community leading to the best line in the film — “you know, George, you really did have a wonderful life.”
Lloyd,
Thanks for your commentary on what we all experience, but some have the gift of putting into words. I love the statement, “There is no category for it on the financial statements.” That’s good stuff!
I know I’ve learned a lot from your writings, and from hearing your perspective, Lloyd! That’s not something I can say from day-to-day news. I think you can only find that energy when you’re connecting with people. Thanks for sharing your insight, not just on the machining world but on the rest of the world too.
Thank you for sharing, Lloyd. May God bless you and your family.