Thursday, July 18, 2013

Cully's Kids 2013

I wanted to start this post off with a big heartfelt thank you to all of you who showered me with love yesterday on my birthday.  I felt all your hearts, pouring through your words, boosting me, lifting me, putting an extra beat in my own heart.  I couldn't ask for anything better, bigger.  I feel blessed.  And I'm still that girl looking over her shoulder wondering "who" that girl is who has been given such abundance.  Plus- even thought we ended up at the clinic yesterday- ha- it was just to pick up my mother who needed a blood transfusion.  No ER and no jinxes- just many birthday blessings. 

Finally- are you ready for the big reveal of what left me speechless?  Here goes...


I've heard this said about Cully's Kids' weekend several times over the last few days, "its my favorite weekend of the year!"  I couldn't agree more.  For so many reasons- do you have a few hours, a few days?  Because I could tell story after story, and in fact, that is why it becomes nearly impossible to figure out a shortened version of what to say.  But here I go...

The event kicked off with a social at Usher's and a silent and live auction.  First of all, the items people and businesses donate to help raise funds for children with cancer and other diseases/disabilities, are so generous.  That alone is a big draw.  But second, just add in a few NHL hockey players to mix and mingle with the rest of the hockey community, and its a night of pure delight and entertainment. I think you truly have to go and experience it, to get the full effect.  


I decided on using just my phone for photos,  knowing the ambient light would be hard to compete with.  So here are just a few photos I took of just some of the friends I am always honored to be around.    These are my hockey family- and they do more for me than I could possibly express. I could have taken photos all night long.

















Rick shot a cool photo outside of the Xcel Energy Center on the day of the playoff game we attended.  He created a "painted" portrait and blew it up large and donated it to the auction.  




The is one of our favorite shots of Matt warming up for a game. His eyes are lasered in on the puck, which he skillfully blasts to the back of the net. 




But by now, we all know, Matt Cullen no longer plays for the Minnesota Wild.  Matt Cullen will be playing for the Nashville Predators for the next two years!

So the Predator's sent the very first official Matt Cullen jersey to Minnesota to be auctioned off for the event.  It was paired with tickets to a Predator game along with a bunch of extra perks and spiffs!  The bidding started at a few thousand dollars and then steadily climbed.  Finally, at 13,000 dollars, the package had been won!  



The night was slowly winding down, and I have to admit, I was exhausted.  As the event wound down we prepared to go.

Okay- for those of you awaiting the big news I have... here it comes.


So I am sitting at a table chowing down a burger, when my friend Bridget says, "I have to go get something, wait here, I'll be right back."  Well I don't have my shoes on and I am in no hurry to go anywhere.  

In minutes, at the top of the stairs I see Bridget returning with something yellow in her hands.  Her smile is getting bigger and bigger and I swear she is trying to lock eyes with someone very close to me.

Quite suddenly, I realize, she is holding the new Predators Jersey.  Oh my- some very lucky soul- sitting very close to me- is going to get her husband's first Predators jersey!!  



And as I look all around me, Bridget's eyes don't waver from my own at all... because...

ITS ME!  Totally me- who has been given the jersey by the man who paid for the package.  His name is Dale.  When he said to Matt, "who should we give the jersey to?  Matt said "Vicky Westra."  Oh my stars!  And it took me 2.8 seconds I think, bare feet and probably ketchup still clinging to my face, to run upstairs and throw my arms around Dale.  He quick- hugged me then shooed me off- obviously a very humble man.  




My feet haven't quite come down to earth...


And this is just day one of three for the event... and I still have some pretty amazing things to share...








19 comments:

  1. wow, that is generosity to the max! I'm happy for you.

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    1. Thank you so much Norma- truly generous for sure!

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  2. Looks like such a great event. And I've never been to a Predators game, but maybe we should look into it to see your friend. :)

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    Replies
    1. You should!! I've been to the arena and the facility is really nice! We hope to be able to go ourselves at some point :)

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  3. I can say that out of the thousands and thousands of blog entries that I have read over the years, something happened to me that has never happened before when I was reading. The hair on my arms and on my neck and head stood straight up. That feeling of "Oh my goodness! She's going to get that jersey!!"...those feelings erupted over me with such joy that every hair rejoiced. Literally!! That has never happened as I've read a blog before. The way you wove this post together with photos and with the (to me) unexpected ending just made my heart happy!! Ecstatically happy for you, my friend.
    What a gift. God bless those who bid, the one who donated the jersey and the one who gifted you with it. This is a forever treasure....of the heart.

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  4. Oh Jackie- I think that is about the sweetest comment I've ever received! And I can't tell you how many goosebump moments I had over the course of the weekend- many for sure- its part of why we all love it so. Great things happening to such deserving kids and their families. So I was totally not prepared to be on the receiving end of something of so personally rewarding to me. Thank you for getting me, and the magnitude of the gift as well :) Love you friend!

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  5. Oh Vicky I loved reading this today - I had a smile on my face the whole time! You are beautiful and I am happy to hear you had such an amazing night!

    I anaxiously wait the rest of your news...

    xo

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  6. Great pics. Looks like so much fun. You look gorgeous in your new jersey!

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  7. Oh Wow!!
    What a surprise. Isn't that wonderful !!!

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  8. So Cool! And Happy Belated Birthday!

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  9. Such generosity!!! You do look super cute in that big ol'
    jersey!!!
    Glad you had such a great time,,,,, you look glowing!

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  10. I loved all your photos Vicky, wow! Hey pretty lady, Happy Belated Birthday!!!!

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  11. So...I started reading this post with just a bit of curiosity, enjoying your writing and loving the pics. THEN, it happened again...the tears started flowing as I read about the generosity of Dale giving you the jersey! ABSOLUTELY beautiful! You are amazing and such a blessing! I can't wait to read your next update--and yes, I will make sure I have a box of tissues near by. :)

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  12. WOW!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I wish I could type the sound that came out of my mouth when I saw the picture of you with that jersey on!!! YAY FOR DALE!! Aren't people LOVELY??? I didn't even see it coming so I think I was almost as surprised as you. $13,000!!! Wonderful donation for such a worthy cause and a worthy woman. I LOVE how much people love you. I could jump up and down for joy but I'd cause an earthquake all the way up to Minnesota so I'll refrain but THIS was a fun post! Love you, friend!

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  13. Vicky, I loved all the photos. They really captured all the flavors of the night and the happy spirit! But then you standing there in that Predators jersey, and learning the story behind it: priceless. :)

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  14. OOOh, I just love when things like that happen. You so deserve it, Vicky... awesomeness all around. Enjoy!

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  15. Hi Vicky so glad for you, you just make me smile everytime I see your beautiful face. have fun, know you are loved.

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I welcome what you have to say. Thanks for taking the time to grace me with your thoughts and words!

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