If there is any great secret of success in life, it lies in the ability to put yourself in the other person's place and to see things from his point of view - as well as your own.
Last Friday I had the honor and extreme privilege to meet this beautiful woman. Lezlee Bertie had contacted me before Christmas. Each year, the company she works for, Evolution1, has a board who selects a few individuals for a program they call "Pay it Forward." After reading my story in the magazine, On The Minds of Moms, Lezlee nominated me. And... the board picked me as one of their recipients!
Lezlee and her husband Sean, who is one of our Moorhead Bantam A coaches, invited us to their lovely home and one of her coworkers, Matt, videotaped a short interview with me. In fact we all took turns answering some questions. Matt will edit the piece to be used at their year end party later this year.
I have to admit, I almost detach from myself in these situations. I would be a teary-eyed, blubbering mess, if I didn't step back from the emotion just a bit to be able to take it all in. But I am deeply humbled, touched to the core. There aren't words enough to describe it. There are hundreds, if not thousands of worthy individuals out there, fighting their battles, carrying large burdens, suffering in some way.
And she picked me. They picked me.
We think we're going to try again. To go. To make memories with our boys. A trip, to warmth and sunshine later this spring. To gel our family unit, laugh more than we cry, and know, that no matter what the future looks like, we lived it fully and without regret.
Its more than a check or a generous outpouring of financial resources. Its life-affirming, breath-giving, giddy-fun producing. Its soul nourishing. Healing.
And do you see what else it is? Just look at the photo and see if you see it, like I did.
It's light. Visibly emanating from the check, is pure radiant light.
Thank you Lezlee, and Sean, and Matt, and everyone at Evolution1!
Rick and I promptly got up Saturday morning and left for St. Paul to attend the Wild game. Matt Cullen was being honored for his 1,000th game! I have so much more to share over the next couple of days...
