I would first like to thank everyone involved that made this year’s event so special. I especially want to thank Marisa and Joree from Kool Beanz for providing a terrific venue and creating such a wonderful atmosphere for the event. Also a big thank you to Marjorie Lusk and Lora Stanger for the delicious home cooked meal. It was fantastic!
I was grateful this year to invite a special couple to be part of the event. I met this couple when their family invited me to have my Foundation as part of their float in the Fourth of July parade. She was telling me about her continuing battle with cancer, and the strict regimen of cancer treatments she is going through. I told her about the Night Out event and how I wanted to make sure she could be part of it. She was excited and thanked me for the offer.
Every year when we are driving around to see the Christmas lights, I enjoy listening to the couples talking to each other. The one thing I have noticed is they all become friends instantly. Whether they are talking about their treatments or their families, the bond between all of them is immediate. I realized quickly the most common thread is their gratitude for the love and support they receive from family and friends.
Throughout the night, I always enjoy the opportunity to talk with the couples and get to know them a little better. It’s interesting to find out where they’re from and listen to them talk about their families. It’s so heartwarming to see the smiles on their faces, and the happiness in their eyes. This is one of the rewards from the event I truly enjoy.
But most of all, the biggest thing I am grateful for with this event, is to be witness to the tremendous strength of these patients and the complete love and devotion of the caregivers. As I watch this through the night, it provides me an overwhelming feeling of warmth and love that words cannot describe.
So, it was another successful year for the Night Out event, and I am already looking forward to next year. If you know someone that would be a good candidate for next year, please let me know. It can be anyone dealing with cancer or someone in remission. I appreciate all of you for your support. Thanks for reading.
Next week: Shopping Spree
P.S. Do you want to know what the biggest reward for the participants is? The opportunity to have the World’s Best Limo Driver of course. (I had to remind them of that.)