In a fast paced and ever-changing world, finding something that will last a long time keeps getting harder and harder.
I have a good friend, a brother in spirit in fact, William Fields. Some of you have met William as he has attended some events at our Abingdon location.
After leaving Washington County to come back home to Wise, it had been a while since I had seen William. Even though our visits continued to be infrequent, when we get together it seems just like yesterday.
William understands my approach to Banking, People, and the Communities we serve, and he reminds me of the real values of life and of friendship.
A couple weeks ago, he and I had lunch, and I showed him our new office since he was unable to come to our Chamber Ribbon Cutting.
At lunch he pulled out a watch (pictured). He told me to take a close look and to wind it up (and shake it a little if needed). He then told me that the watch was mine. I protested (I knew it would be to no avail) and told William that he should give it to his son or grandson. No, he said. “I bought it a while back, and you need to have it.”
He shared that he had been down to Lowes and saw our sign on the wall “Powell Valley National Bank – Established 1888”. That was when he knew that he would give me a watch made in “1888”.
I have carried the watch since it’s gifting with me each day to work. I catch myself imagining that the very first person who wound the watch could have been a customer of our Bank when we first opened. And then their children, grandchildren, great grandchildren and so on.
Perhaps with a commitment to care for and value the past – as well as the future – some things are made to last.
Watches. Friends. A Bank.
– Leton
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“Letters From Leton” is a blog series comprised of the weekly updates that Leton Harding – President, Chairman, and CEO of Powell Valley National Bank, shares with the Bank’s team members. These newsletters are full of uplifting anecdotes and intriguing insights that are applicable beyond the Bank, so we want to share them with you.
