Longtime readers of this blog might be able to find these pictures – they originally appeared here about 2 1/2 years ago . . .
![2011-02-05_13-30-35_661[3]](http://lh6.ggpht.com/-nwodONFF7vQ/UhTbcGSdCqI/AAAAAAAAIxw/mZJvPnn9_a4/s1600-h/2011-02-05_13-30-35_661%25255B3%25255D%25255B3%25255D.jpg "2011-02-05_13-30-35_661[3]")
![2011-02-05_15-37-22_53[3]](http://lh6.ggpht.com/-mFQmIkBRJHE/UhTbdo7DwaI/AAAAAAAAIyA/UCABfX2Ze98/s1600-h/2011-02-05_15-37-22_53%25255B3%25255D%25255B3%25255D.jpg "2011-02-05_15-37-22_53[3]")
. . . the first time those dollar packs appeared in our booth. I took eight boxes of them with me on a trip south, thinking they would last through shows in Atlanta and Clearwater. The view at right is what was left at 3:00 on Saturday afternoon in Atlanta – they didn’t even make it through the first day.
And as a customer came to the register with a handful of them, I would say “Thanks for keeping a 96-year-old man busy in our backroom.” The customers who really heard what I was saying were amazed – and some asked for more information.
Walter White is Gary’s father-in-law and he is a fascinating man – a World War II veteran who has lived many places and spent much of his life working as a research chemist for Eastman Kodak in Rochester, New York. He and his wife came to our area to be closer to their children as his wife’s health was failing, and he started working with us shortly after she died.
Walter’s life is filled with stories, and I got to hear many of them when I drove him back and forth to the store several years ago after Gary tried to see how many bones he could break by falling off his horse. One of the best stories came 12 or 13 years ago when Walter decided that his eyesight was failing and he needed to stop driving. So he drove to the store that day, announced to everyone that it was going to be his last day of driving – and rear-ended a car on his way home. It was the first and only auto accident of his life.
Every year in late July I have to change the dollar pack spiel as Walter gets a year older. So about a month ago, what was once 96 became 99.
Yesterday afternoon, I brought the truck to the store to unload some boxes after last weekend’s show in Collinsville, Illinois. And when I walked through the backroom, Walter was hard at work. He doesn’t get here as much as he did a few years ago – maybe a couple of hours two or three times a week. But he’s still amazed that so many of you find treasure in the little bags of paper that he creates.
He has his two tables full of little scraps of paper, cellophane bags to stuff, and boxes next to the tables to fill with finished bags to fill those plastic tubs at shows. And if there’s an afternoon baseball game on the radio, he’ll have earbuds in his ears – Walter loves baseball as much as I do.
Twice last weekend, customers came to me with dollar packs in their hands to ask if the price on them was correct – in one case a pack was marked $10.05 and in another case it was $0.05. Of course, they were all $1.00 – and when I explained that Walter is 99 and doesn’t see very well anymore, everyone seems to understand.
Walter is the first 99-year-old man I have ever known. On his 98th birthday last year, he announced to his family that there wouldn’t be a 99th – he knew that his health is not what it once was and body parts are wearing out. But he was wrong, and hes still here – and I really hope that at the end of July next year, he will become the first 100-year-old man I have ever known.
And I’ll have to change the spiel again . . .
You should do a story corp with him to preserve the memories/
I had never heard of Story Corps — just looked it up and that's a fascinating idea. Not sure how well that would work for him anymore (his memory isn't what it used to be and it frustrates him), but he put lots of his stories on paper years ago so we do have them in written form.
Cherish every moment… and Cheers to Walter (and his friends and family) for continuing to be productive and contributing to our world!
Michele
Wow! this brought tears to my eyes and a smile to my face.
yes this would be a wonderful story corp.
they play them every Friday morning on NPR around 8:25am
Thanks.
Blessings on Walter. Keeping active is surely what is helping keeping him going. I look forward to hearing about his 100th year.
Wonderful! My Mother and I both have many of those packs in our workshops. After the show, we open them up and split each kind of paper 50/50. We always have great paper!
WOnderful story- and Godspeed to Walter- You'll have to throw a big celebration when he turns 100!
I just love these stories & the packs of paper. They're always a surprise & I just love opening them.
Paula in GA
Wow, he is a paper lover like us. Must be what keeps him going.
So proud of Walter.
His part is very important, as it keeps a lot of ladies happy.
Isn't that just like Walter to please the women….even now.
You are blessed to have heard his stories first hand.
We all have a story to tell.
WOW…WOW…WOW! What a very touching & heart-warming story!
It brought me to tears. I just want to reach out and hug Walter!
Thanks for sharing this with us!
Many blessings to you!
Thank you Walter! Because of you we all enjoy an affordable surprise pack at each show. You are an inspiration. And thank you Marco's for reminding us that we all have value in our lives.
What a great story..one that I well understand. My Dad is going to be 93 next month. I will never put those $1.00 packs out again without a special thought!!
YAY….keep on keepin' on Mr. Walter!!!!!
I hope so too! Thank you for sharing Walter's story with us!
What a great story! If he keeps coming back at his age, Walter must really love working with you and your company. What a sweet testament about you and Marco's Paper.
This is exactly the kind of story that makes you fall in love with life again. Excuse the sniffles. Looking forward to 100 Walter!
What a wonderful story, Greg! In all the years I've shopped with you and helped in the booth, I hadn't heard the story. Thanks for sharing!
Wonderful story about a wonderful man!
Love this!
Greg, loved the story about Walter. And, it gave me a wonderful idea for a class I'm about to give for seniors–why not make up little paper packs for door prizes! This is just one example of why I shop online with you and your family; you truly exhibit exceptional principles as a person and a company.
I am sure that Walter is a Blessing to you and your family! Just keep loving him and create new memories.
What a fabulous story! I hope that I get to buy a few of his packs next year at West Springfield, MA!
Maybe you should start gathering signatures on birthday cards for him from the customers at the shows who appreciate his hard work! How nice it would be to give him a whole bunch of birthday cards on his 100th birthday!
And thank you for keeping a senior employed and busy!
Since I first read your story about Walter a couple of years ago, I have purchased my little bags of paper as my very first purchase at your Stamping Coventions in Grapvine,Texas. I take them out and separate them according to size and color and I always have just the right size for layering my greeting cards. I love them. I always think of his hands gathering and separating paper for me. I asked the Lord to heal, bless, and protect Walter until the day of his homecoming. Karen
Since I first read your story about Walter a couple of years ago, I have purchased my little bags of paper as my very first purchase at your Stamping Coventions in Grapvine,Texas. I take them out and separate them according to size and color and I always have just the right size for layering my greeting cards. I love them. I always think of his hands gathering and separating paper for me. I asked the Lord to heal, bless, and protect Walter until the day of his homecoming. Karen
First that I've heard of Walter. Great story and good to see someone his age interested in doing something that makes so many people smile! I've bought those $1 packs and now I know the rest of the story!! Cheryl Wacks
Walter is an inspiration! Here I am moaning at the thoughts of turning 60. Thank you for sharing his story with us and thank Walter for the work he does. I am going to be visiting the store for the first time on August 30. I am so excited. I feel like I'm looking forward to Christmas. It is people like you Greg, and Walter that make so many of us feel special.
Love those paper packs – thanks, Walter! I've seen Walter in the store of course, but had no idea of his age! I thought my mom was doing great to be working full time (building weapons!) at age 82! I've have to tell her about Walter. Thanks for sharing this story and please tell Walter how much he is appreciated!
I love Walter's pack of papers! Have only been making cards for 2 years but those little pieces of paper sure do come in handy. Walter sounds like a treasure! May God bless him and you.
What an amazing person is. Very inspiring! Blessings to Walter!
Thank you and big hugs to Walter!!! He is amazing and inspiring. I love his energy and spirit. Thank you for sharong him with us. Nancy mayer