Looking forward to 2025 is scary for me, so I decided to take a look back. I began writing My 3 Cents in 2016 and every year in December I reflect, and evidently, share my thoughts for the year.
The beauty of computers is that it is so easy to click on old files and have reminders of where you were at certain periods of time at your fingertips. I wrote about the NFL’s Washington Redskins in 2016 and the public outcry over the then owner’s reluctance to change the racist name. Finally, in 2022, six years after my column, the D.C. team was renamed the Commanders. In 2019, a column titled “What’s New?” predicted difficult times ahead. (It wasn’t called Covid-19 by accident.) In 2021, My 3 Cents focused on the “New Normal”, i.e. washing hands, eating in, and avoiding crowds.
But when I clicked on the “Singles vs. Doubles” My 3 Cents written in 2017, I had to smile. I spent most of that year with the former CEO of First Federal, Karen McCormick co-authoring the history of that financial institution. The final line reads, “I am proud of the book I now hold in my hand, “My First Fed.” I am also proud that Karen and I remain friends, although I’m pretty sure this will be my last collaboration.”
Boy was I wrong. For the last two years I have been busy co-authoring another book, another book on finance no less! (That’s only relevant because of my total lack of financial acuity.)
I first met Kyle Rosen four decades ago when he was a youngster pushing six and I was a twenty-seven-year-old, soon to be divorced, newly hired governess. At the time we bonded over soccer and bike rides during the day and playing the piano in the evenings.
Over the years we stayed in touch. We stopped kicking the soccer ball long ago, but our love of music continued and provided a lasting bond. Whether attending concerts (Tyne Daly’s Mama Rose is still a memory we treasure), arranging a music session at Wally Heider’s Studio 4 for Kyle’s first recording gig, or writing songs (my lyrics/his melodies) to such future hits as “On the Pier” and “Where Did Love Go?” demoed by soul singer, Lynn Collins. *
This recent book collaboration was different than my first venture. Instead of sitting around a dining room table with a cup of tea once a week discussing potential cuts and organization of pictures, Kyle, in New York City and me, in Mount Vernon, WA emailed or texted one another daily. That’s not true, we emailed or texted one another countless times a day with editing changes, wordage suggestions, formatting ideas, and photo possibilities. At first, I tried to keep track of my time on a flow chart, but we worked at such a rapid pace I gave up trying to note the hours within a few days.
What I did make note of, mentally and emotionally, was what fun I was having writing with Kyle! Did I learn about the stock market? Some, but not enough to dabble my meager writer’s funds. I’ll happily cede the highly intense world of finance to my co-author. What I did learn was that Kyle recognized Al Rosen’s legacy and took the time to record his father’s incredible life path. The ultimate tribute of a son to his father is our finished product: “From Brooklyn to Beverly Hills: My Dad’s Remarkable Life in the Stock Market.” **
I appreciate Kyle’s love and care in the telling of his father’s fascinating story. And I thank Kyle for the respect he has for my work.
Maybe the future won’t be as scary as I first thought. Considering this successful collaboration, I will optimistically eye 2025.
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*A sample of our music can be found at www.rebeccaredshaw.com under Media and Music
**bk2bh.com From Brooklyn to Beverly Hills: My Dad’s Remarkable life in the Stock Market.