My heart is still overflowing with gratitude for the gifts of love I experienced on Tuesday, two days ago.
It all started last month when Wild's business card was drawn, at a Lakewood Chamber of Commerce breakfast meeting, for him to be in the Business Spotlight this month with a 5-7 minute speech. We were excited because it is quite an honor to have that opportunity to speak about our business in front of 60-75 other business people. As this week approached I keep mentioning that we needed to organize a speech. Several times I asked him if he wanted to speak by himself since it was his business card that was drawn. He liked the idea of us speaking together. When Monday night rolled around we had no idea what we were going to say the next morning. He was clearly frustrated with the process I was using, which is perfect for me...but not for him. I gave Wild another chance to do it by himself, his way. He agreed he'd do it on his own and just speak from his heart. I knew he would be great, just being himself.
What happened the next morning was a total surprise. A magical gift we could never have expected in a million years. After he was introduced he spoke from his heart about what he is passionate about, and has been since he was a little kid, helping other people. He shared his love and humor with everyone in the room, as he mentioned with a twinkle in his eye, that at times he had even been accused of being a rescuer. People laughed. He went on to tell about why our life and our business fulfills his desire to help people in ways that matter and he wrapped it all up after only a few minutes.
As he was handing the microphone back to Mary Ann an amazing thing happened. Dr. David stood up and reached for the microphone. He asked if there was anyone in the room that had a testimonial they might wish to share. I could feel my heart swelling with love and it completely spilled over when hands went up around the room. Oh my, I couldn't believe what was happening. First our friend Shawn took the mic and shared, what she called, her skeptical nature and how she had been helped. Then the mic was passed to Patty and she shared a story of her own. Finally Ken took the mic and shared his story of meeting Wild and what that led to. As Mary Ann wrapped it up our friend Mary was sitting next to me wanting to share her story and knowing the time was up. There we were, surrounded by dear friends coming to Wild's aid to help him fill his time with gifts of love. I knew that Wild was as moved by the events, of the minutes before, as much as I was. Love filled the room and spilled out the doors of the Great American Casino.
We always have drawings at these events and Mary Ann was showing us all the gifts of love brought by members. Here's how it works: members bring in items to share and business cards are drawn. The first person whose card is drawn chooses which gift they want. The next person who's card is drawn is 2nd to choose from the gifts and so on. When I saw that Dotty, owner of Northwest Optical, had donated a beautiful pair of black sunglasses I knew I would love to have them. Mary Ann asked someone to draw a card and mine was drawn first. The sunglasses were mine! Thank you Dotty!
A few hours later, that same day, I was a table host at a monthly Networking Unplugged luncheon. I chose September to be a table host because our convention is in August and I thought I might pick up some special things I could share with some of my friends that I would invite to sit at my table. I had room for seven women to join me. I invited a lot of friends hoping some were available that day for lunch. I spent the weekend before the event sorting and choosing the perfect items that I would pack into each gift bag. I had such fun putting them all together not knowing yet who would actually be able to join me. I also made a gift basket to be won from a drawing during the luncheon. As we all settled in for lunch my name was called. Kia was announcing that I brought the most guests and I was handed a $100 bill as my reward. WOW! I was just treating some friends to sit with me, and enjoy a gift bag of special things I love, and I received an unexpected gift of my own! Then my name was called again, as my card was drawn, to receive yet another gift of love that was donated by a luncheon vendor...a necklace and matching earrings. Such abundance!
The magnitude of my day wasn't totally clear at the moment because I was fully present at the luncheon and not thinking about the breakfast I was at only hours earlier. It wasn't until later, when I had an opportunity to reflect on the day, that I realized how many gifts were materializing before my very eyes in such a short period of time. The greatest gifts, of course, being the loving gift of friendship. Sunglasses, jewelry and money are wonderful but the gift of friendship is priceless! I am incredibly grateful for all our dear friends. Some show up in the most amazing ways and at the most unexpected times.
My heart is overflowing with love and gratitude,
Dyann
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