no time like now

            Just concluded a wonderful interview with Monica Mancini, daughter of the late, great, Henry Mancini. It’s for my 9th book “Icons. Growing Up In The Shadow Of Greatness” in which I’m profiling descendants of well-known individuals. More than just revealing the attributes of intriguing people, the book will serve as a guide for how each of us can harness the influences that impact and affect our own nurturing as we learn from those who discuss the characteristics of their famed upbringing.
            Hank Mancini was a hero of mine, ever since I discovered his musical genius while watching “Peter Gunn” as a kid: loved Mancini’s theme for that show as well as his incidental tunes like Dreamsville.
            But here’s the thing about Monica: she’s not at all slow to express joy. It’s apparent she’s an individual who takes little for granted. I was struck by how she readily acknowledged the beauty of the state she lives in (California), the gratefulness she has for growing up in the Mancini family, the joy she experiences working with her husband Gregg to make music, etc.
            You know, a friend of mine came very close to dying after experiencing a really bad car accident. He had to endure months of heavy rehab just to stay alive and learn to walk and talk again. It was heavy-duty, but eventually he re-emerged. Now, his whole outlook has changed and he told me recently, “Peter, start every day being thankful for something or acknowledge something that is positive in your life.” I do.
            Strikes me that’s where Monica’s at too, and in these times of being surrounded by so much negativity, it’s really refreshing to hear it.

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