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… and also with me. As the short work week drew to a close, our team celebrated the holidays together with a luncheon at the bowling alley. Food and fun, the perfect combination to bring teams together. As I drove to the offsite, it suddenly became Ground Hog Day, last year driving to the same location for the same event knowing that myDarlin’ Robert Kenui Pope was at home taking a nap waiting for me to arrive.
The line wound around the banquet room, and we (my co-workers and I) chatted in line with those around us, scoped out seats and moved our personal belongings there to ‘save’ a spot. There are so many choices beginning with the plates; a large rounded plate or a rectangular narrower one, then moving to the food choices; some healthy while others not so much. And the natural conversation progression began with what everyone liked or didn’t like about the meal, on to what type of an eater we are; the finicky, the non-adventurous, the vegan, the kitchen sink (me) and the gourmet. I equate food with people gathering, hospitality and good times – and am so intrigued about what our choices reveal about us; from rectangular to round, from healthy to not so much, to simple to complex.
Making our way to the lanes that already displayed the names of our pre-assigned bowling teams; we put on our bowling shoes. I made a decision for this event to participate rather than observe by taking photos of the event. It’s a very interesting dynamic between the two – and I must say that I am glad I decided to do so. And the bowing began and we cheered each other on regardless of how we did. Every one of us had some great shots, some good shots and some shots we won’t talk about. I thought that our theme song should have been, ‘It’s all about the strike, no gutter, no gutter….’ And we took photos, lots of them, with our mobile devices and the photo booth; because we want to remember the good times. And this team of Pin Amigos (yes that explains the sombrero my friends), put together with those who don’t normally work together, bonded in a way that can’t be done in the work environment.
Walking back to Tacoma, who was patiently waiting for me in the parking lot, I reflected on just how brilliant the concept of team building is and what an investment leaders make from a financial and productivity standpoint. Scheduling a team of almost 100 to fellowship and play for an afternoon, I would dare to say, increases productivity in the long run, resulting in no financial loss for those hours spent doing so. I press the unlock button on Tacoma’s key fob, and in my head say beep, beep – to which myDarlin’ would always reply, ‘you know it doesn’t beep, it’s all in your head….’ Turning the key in the ignition, it hits me… myDarlin’ is not at home taking a nap waiting for me. He’s waiting for me in heaven…..
I pull into the parking lot at the church and as if right on cue, someone is pulling out of their spot in the front row. The lady at the door is so congenial and radiates God’s love in such a fun way, that I immediately feel at home in this big sprawling church filled with small business owners gathered to bring their wares together to make it easy for us to shop.(whew! that’s a run on sentence if I ever saw one!) I visited my dear friend’s booth (and her hubby) who is making our 13 memory quilts (she’s phenomenal if you want/need her contact info), and made my way around to the other booths. I came to one which was quite unique, and eyed a large peace sign made of bottle caps. I thought to myself, this is the perfect piece for Margaritaville (our back porch) and inquired about the cost. It was connected to another large piece of the art (ergo a play on words, ‘Peace on Earth), which although a great concept doesn’t necessarily fit the intended space. DD (the artist) showed me another peace sign, but the colors weren’t to my liking. And then, quite out of the blue, she said to me, ‘you may want this fleur de lis.’ There it was yellow and purple, in all of its’ glory, and I told her of Margaritaville and more importantly, myDarlin’s love for the Saints. DD looked at me and said, ‘I don’t have any idea of why I said that to you’ to which I replied, ‘I do.’ (I got it for you myDarlin’)
On to a book signing for a dear friend who also happens to be a beautiful person, and talented writer; community gathers to support her as she supports others with her writing. And our mutual friends/musicians learned and arranged her songs quickly for her special night, then backed her up in a way that appeared as if they had been practicing for weeks. True talent, friendship and giving of oneself. As she spoke of her journey to a room full of family and friends – old and new, one would never know that public speaking was not her forte as it came very naturally. And she challenged us to face our beliefs about food, exercise and health, how it makes us feel and what the resulting action (or inaction) is and then to share it with our neighbor. I marveled at the psychology of that seemingly simple activity, and the revelations it has the potential of exposing; revelations already experienced by her and shared with us.
And on the long road back home, a car swerved within inches in front of me and by the Grace of God and Tacoma’s brakes, disaster was averted. And my dear friends, following in back of me, checked to make sure that I was OK. As I pulled into my driveway, I reflected on the events of the day and know that I am blessed.
Today, as I sip coffee from a cup with the message, ‘You are a courageous woman’ (given to me by one of our sweet daughters), I am filled with gratitude for the many blessings in my life. myDarlin’ and I have a love that transcends time and space, and I feel him with me as I go about my daily life. And while I miss him more than words can ever describe, I know and accept that God has a plan for his life, for my life and for yours. And the verse inside of the coffee cup reads, ‘Be strong and courageous…for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.’ Joshua 1:9
#KeepLookingUp #GodiswithYou
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