“I call your attention to my father-in-law, Elmer Stillman, second-generation proprietor of the Green Mountain Country Store.”
Elmer stood and waved to the gathering while the employees clapped and hooted and hollered for Elmer. He loved every second of the attention they gave him every time the company came together this way.
“My children,” Lincoln continued when the applause died down, “are the fourth-generation proprietors of the store, and I know I speak for Elmer when I say we are thrilled to have them actively involved in the running of the family business. Where are my kids?”
The ten Abbott siblings stood and waved to the group, as they had for years now, since they first began to wander into the family business one by one, until they were all playing a role in some way or another. It had never been expected or demanded of them, but each of them had come home to Butler after college, eager to continue their family’s legacy.
Ella had been no different. She’d studied business and marketing at the University of Vermont, always with the idea of coming home to the family business at the end of school. Now nearly ten years later, she couldn’t imagine any other life or career than the one she had working side by side with her father and siblings every day. The family business suited her, and she’d never had any desire to be anywhere else.
“Not only has the Green Mountain Country Store been a four-generation business for our family,” Lincoln said, “it has been for many of your families, too. Please stand if you are one of our fourth-generation employees.”
A group of young adults stood to applause from the others.
“How about our third-generation employees?” Lincoln said. “Including my lovely wife, Molly, who sits on our board of directors. And now our second-generation folks?”
This group, led by Elmer, was older, many of them with white or gray hair and big smiles filled with pride for their long careers with the Stillman-Abbott family business.
“And now, a round of applause for our last remaining first-generation employee, Mildred Olsen, who at the age of ninety-one continues to work as an accounts payable clerk.”
As the whole room burst into applause, Hunter helped Mrs. Olsen to her feet and stood with his arm around the woman who reported to him as the company’s chief financial officer. According to Hunter, Mildred was still sharp as a tack and had no plans to retire.
She waved to the other employees as they stood as one to cheer for her.
Ella approached Mildred with a bouquet of the older woman’s favorite pink tea roses and bent to kiss her lined cheek.
“Thank you, sweetheart,” Mildred said.
Ella reached for the microphone her father handed to her and walked it over to Mildred.
“I just want to say thank you to the Abbott family, and Hunter in particular, for continuing to allow me to do the job I love,” Mildred said softly into the microphone. “I started working for Elmer’s parents when I was eight, old enough to sweep the floors and take out the trash for a dollar a week. That dollar made a huge difference for my family during some difficult years, and I’ve been here ever since. Thank you again for making me a part of your family. I love you all.”