Verbatim: What Were You Born to Do?

Is there a simple answer to this month’s Verbatim question? Do we truly have a sense of what an authentic answer might be? Or is this obvious and we’ve always known the answer? 

In this column, adopted from the familiar “Heard on the Street” format, we offer our responders a chance to answer the question posed in the title. These are their replies, reported verbatim. 

Born to … 

That’s a hard question — not because I don’t have an answer, but because there are so many things I feel I was born to do. Every chapter of my life has brought a different calling. Some have stayed with me, while others were meant only for a season. As a child, I was drawn to soccer, to books and to being a good friend and daughter. As I grew, those callings evolved, some in expected ways and others that completely surprised me. Today, I feel deeply called to be a supportive wife to my husband, Matt, and a loving, present mother to our daughters, Erin and Brynn. One calling I never anticipated was my role in the propane industry, but it’s a place where I’ve found purpose, challenge and fulfillment. It’s a chapter I never saw coming, but one I’m incredibly grateful for. So, if I had to sum it all up and answer the question directly, I’d say: I was born to live, to embrace each chapter, each curveball and each unexpected joy that life brings. 

Staci Rammel 
Woodruff Energy 
Bridgeton, New Jersey 

I guess at this stage of my life I should know the answer to this question in a heartbeat, but it just so happens I was at a Vermont Fuel Dealers conference today and read this question to Leslie Anderson from PGANE [Propane Gas Association of New England] — and she gave me the kindest response for this answer. She said I was born to be a good friend! It certainly is something I have always strived for: to be a good friend and a confidant. To give my shoulder to lean on. So, yes, I was born to be a good friend to others. 

Judy Taranovich 
Proctor Gas Inc. 
Proctor, Vermont 

Since I was a kid, I’ve always felt I was meant to do something profound. I believed that somewhere along my path, I’d have an opportunity — or an epiphany — that would reveal my purpose. As I’ve grown older, I’ve come to realize that my purpose isn’t one singular moment, but a daily choice: I was born to make the world a better place. Every day, I have the chance to treat people with kindness, to stand up for those less fortunate, to raise good humans as a mother and to care for my team as a businesswoman — so they, in turn, can care for their families. That’s the kind of impact I was born to make. 

Lauren Clark 
Berquist Inc. 
Toledo, Ohio 

I was born to inherit our family business. Hardly a week would go by without my dad reminding me that he wanted me to work in the family business. It was not glamorous; however, I saw all of the great benefits it brought to our family. Yes, propane is in my blood. 

Julie Johnson 
Ted Johnson 
Propane Baldwin Park, California 

Embrace change. I grew up in a dynamic community where it was common to see things that were uncommon in other places. I was brought up to have an open mind and my parents were constantly offering us the chance to experience different cultures through food, music, events, travel and friendships. They wanted me to see the world through curious eyes, listen to other people with genuine interest and embrace the experience of constant change. I’ve lived in very different places. I’ve experienced financial struggles and success. I’ve learned hard lessons. Now I’m getting prepared for the biggest change in my life, and I could not be more excited.  

Josh Simpson 
Little Kamper LP 
Manteca, California 

If someone knows what I was ‘born to do,’ could you please let me know? I’d be most appreciative. 

Leslie Woodward 
Fairview Fittings 
Oakville, Ontario, Canada 

When pondering how to answer this question, I started thinking about my parents and then my own children. I think all parents want the best for their children and strive to achieve that goal. Your personal development, personality and character are the result of your immediate and extended families, school, friends and activities. As parents, we hope that our parenting, guidance, support and love will develop good people with high morals and ethics, focused on family, that will become good, compassionate, solid citizens that will contribute to society and create a legacy of their own. I think I was born to be an effective parent of the next generation. 

Jerry Schimmel 
P3 Propane Safety 
Cumberland, Rhode Island 

I was born to carry a family business to a third generation — 80 years this year. 

Richard Strycharz Jr. 
Walter’s Propane 
Sunderland, Massachusetts

 Born to do? I don’t know how to answer that question. Career-wise, I have always been pulled toward logistics and distribution work, and yet I’m a bit of a tech geek as well. I have always enjoyed complex challenges, turn-around engagements, leveraging data and tech, working hard to differentiate and improve the businesses I have had the privilege of being responsible for. Personally, I’m a worker and I know that’s not been a balance I have managed well in my career, right or wrong. As I round the corner on some 36 years in this industry, I know it’s time to find that balance. I’d like to continue to contribute professionally and yet, find more time for personal interests, family and friends. 

Boyd H. McGathey 
EDP 
Parkville, Missouri 

What was I born to do? In the words of Steppenwolf: ‘Born to be wild!’ Just joking — although there was a day! Considering I was basically born into the propane industry, I would have to say I am doing what I was born to do. I hope to have a few more years to be a part of it and then watch sons and grandsons carry on in the future. 

Paula Moore 
Blackburn Propane Service Inc. 
Durant, Oklahoma 

As a young child, I always dreamed of becoming a teacher. While my path didn’t lead me to a traditional classroom, the desire to educate and inspire never left me. Today, I find fulfillment in a different kind of teaching — guiding employees or customers and watching those ‘light bulb moments’ happen. Whether it’s helping someone grasp a new concept or showing them a better way to do something, I find real joy in sharing knowledge and empowering others to grow. 

Abby Thurston 
Rural Computer Consultants 
Bird Island, Minnesota 

This is a tough one for me because I like to do a lot of different things. I’m no psychoanalyst, but I think about the time and place I was born and the hierarchy of my family. I’m second in line out of five siblings, and my older brother is three years my senior. I paid lots of attention to what he was doing as a youngster, and I took up lots of the same things. I suppose my goal back then was to get approvals from him in doing those things, which weren’t easy to come by. But I did learn to work hard at things if I really wanted to get good at them, and that quality has served me well throughout my life. So, what was I born to do? I don’t know, but whatever it is, I’m working hard to get good at it! 

Bruce Swiecicki 
Consulting Engineer 
Tinley Park, Illinois 

I believe I was born to help people feel good and share positive thoughts. I have been a musician for 56 years. I have learned the effect that music has on people. You can feel joy, sadness, excitement, inspiration and many other emotions. I have played all types of music in many venues. From small groups to large arenas, people respond to music. I enjoy making music for others to enjoy. In my career I have always tried to relate to the people I work with. From customers to managers, I treat everyone with respect and empathy. I have created teams that are supported and able to work well together. Acknowledging positive actions helps employees be more successful and confident in their roles. Also, as a family man with a strong faith, I feel my purpose in this life is to lift others and help where I can. It has been rewarding and meaningful. 

Ed Varney 
Topline Management 
McKinney, Texas 

Born to Be Wildly Engaged in Living! 

Reflecting on the lives we are actually living may create interesting responses to the question this month. I think, to approach the question with authenticity, we need to think about all the things we love. Somewhere on that list, we will find our answer(s).