Spirit Magazine - September 2013 - (Page 82)

Shawn in a digital-content company called Freshwire. Even Shawn, who has three kids with his second wife, seems to be coming to grips with the complexity of loyalty and legacy. He won’t talk to his father, but he didn’t get in the way when Piper, his 12-year-old daughter, had a special request for her father’s father. As we were wending our way around the distant island, which, with its eruptive vitality, jagged contours, and deep Pacific blues, mirrors the man who settled there 36 years ago, Amos reached for his phone. “You gotta hear this, man.” It was a message from Piper, from last spring. A thousand poets could write a thousand words and still not capture the unfettered beauty and air of expectancy in the voice of the grandchild Amos hasn’t seen in three, four, maybe five years. He can’t remember. “Hi Grandpapa!” the message goes. “It’s Piper! I’m just calling to ask you, um … Career Day is coming up at my school, and I was wondering if you could send a video of yourself talking about the Famous Amos company and maybe send some cookies for our class. So please call me back. I love you so much, and I miss you. Bye-bye.” W ally amos seems to be in good hands. At 77, he’s finally figured out that cookies and promotion, not business, are what he knows best. On Wamos Cookies, he’s got eager and experienced partners who, for starters, have reworked the brand’s flavorless name. This month, The Cookie Man Cookies will be available at Los Angeles– area Costco stores, and the hope is a lucrative QVC deal will follow. Apparently, our interview and the not always comfortable looking back has paid dividends, too. When I return to the mainland there’s a voicemail waiting for me, left minutes before I’d departed Oahu. It’s Amos, flying high once again. “Hey John, it’s Wally! I feel really in charge, man. I feel so clear in my confidence. Everything is surging back into my body. You have been a catalyst for this resurrection of Wally Amos, and I am indebted to you. I have an idea that something big is getting ready to happen. It’s coming on, and it’s going to be so wonderful. I’m telling you, this is it! I see a best-selling book and a movie and all the stuff that comes after. I feel better than I’ve felt in ages. So take care, man, and have a safe trip. Mahalo and aloooo-HAAAA!” John McAlley is the executive editor of Spirit. Shoot him an email at john.mcalley@paceco.com with your thoughts about Wally Amos’ story. http://www.WallyPark.com

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Spirit Magazine - September 2013

Contents
Gary's Greeting
Gary's Greeting en Español
Star of the Month
Freedom Story
From the Editor
Your Words
Your Pictures
Media Center
Eat Drink Sleep
The Numbers
Business
Chomp, Chomp
"Are You Famous Amos?"
Health
Calendar
Fun!
Spotlight
Community Outreach
Products and Services
Flight Service
Terminal Maps
Information
Rapid Rewards Partners
Route Map
The "If" List

Spirit Magazine - September 2013