“We took a picture with a guy dressed like Elmo, complete with a Phillies jersey. I was going for a selfie when Elmo handed my phone to a passing stranger…
…It’s Philly, we help each other,” Elmo said.
In an article titled “Phillies playoffs with my 10-year-old son mean extra magic for a fan like me,” Kristen A. Graham reports that part of the magic of the night was the encounter with “DelCo Elmo.”
Elmo is a beloved children’s character who has been around for over 30 years. He is known for his positive attitude, his love of learning, and his infectious laugh. In recent years, Elmo has also become a symbol of hope and resilience for people of all ages. By providing a sense of comfort and familiarity in a world that can be chaotic and unpredictable, Elmo is a constant source of positivity and joy.
So when “DelCo Elmo” attended the much-anticipated second game of the National League Championship Series with the Arizona Diamondbacks, it drew the delighted attention of fans and received much local, national, and social media attention. Each time the camera caught him, “DelCo Elmo” was dancing and interacting with the fans around him.
As I read Ms. Graham’s article this morning and celebrated “Elmo’s” well-deserved celebrity, I realized that the story inside the costume was as magical and compelling as the one outside of it.
The guy who embodied Elmo and made it possible for him to be at the game happens to be my nephew, Richard Attwood.
Just a few years ago, my heart was broken and full of worry that the kind, compassionate, boisterous little boy I knew and loved would not live to see his 40th birthday. His life was full of hurt and destruction as he struggled through active substance misuse, the loss of his children, mistrust of his family, and the start of poor health.
Thankfully, over the last five years, we have watched with relief, pride, amazement, and gratitude as Richard worked tirelessly to regain his fiercely caring character and charismatic spirit through hard work at an active and meaningful recovery program. He has purposefully refocused his natural strength, determination, and grit on rebuilding and growing his lovely family. He is now the proud and participative dad of four vibrant children, including the new additions of his wife, Gabrielle, and a new baby son, Carmine.
As he was persevering in reestablishing his personal life, Rich was working just as hard to build a business around his solid construction skills. According to the website, “Attwood Contracting (https://attwoodcontracting.business.site/) is a high-quality licensed local contractor with over 20 years experience in the building trades. Specializing in ALL household repairs and maintenance. Owner Richard Attwood puts pride and quality in serving his customers.” The success of the business, and the team that built it, is reflected on their considerable 5-star reviews.
Elmo teaches people that it’s okay to be different, and that they can achieve anything they set their minds to. Richard Attwood is a successful businessman and a loving father who has overcome incredible challenges in his life. Richard’s story shows that it is possible to rebuild your life, achieve your dreams, and to be a prolific member of your community, no matter what challenges you face.
Collectively, they are inspirational symbols of hope for all of us.
LET’S GOOOOOOOOOOO PHILLIES!!!!
#RingTheBell