Sometimes you just have to go and take a trip even on the spur of the moment. We received an invitation some time back and though I didn't forget about it, I had not responded. So when the reminder showed up in my mailbox, I thought we should go.
There is a feeling that I get that seems inexplicable and yet so familiar. That feeling of contentment and happiness in helping to make someone happy, contributing to something larger and greater. The draw of the gathering for someone important and knowing that we wanted to be there.
That feeling, that level of joyousness floated gently when we arrived at the retirement for our friend, and crescendoed and lasted all through the evening's kind, friendly, gentle, funny and good cheer, and deeply warming celebration. Over 100 friends gathered to honor Donna with stories of shared escapades, funny and unexpected outcomes from traveling or training sessions, stories of support and encouragement, and stories of mutual gratitude. A song to honor Donna in the same manner of love and kindness and humor. They ("Diversity Donnettes") designed the song for a sing-along, and we all sang loudly and joyously.
As the stories were told, we realized that we only knew Donna in one context, one facet of her life and her profession. There were so many stories about her life and work that we did not know about her! We learned more about this amazing woman - about what was not only important to her, but also what was important to us as her friends and colleagues - the many lessons that she taught us about inclusion, about culture, about protocol, about hotel soaps and about showing up to do the right thing! We know they were not lessons that she planned out, but by her own fierce belief in humanity and equality and justice, and her generous giving, we learned from her life and her living.
In that, we shared a common unity. I believe we are all an important part of her life too. In that we basked in her glow of inclusiveness and love, an evening to mark her accomplishments, recognize her life-long contributions, and her passions, her commitment and advocacy for so many personal and professional causes.
And so we were glad that we drove across the state to join this celebration and her many friends and family. Sometimes you just have to show up. Sometimes you just have to take that trip, and we are all richer for the journey.
There is a feeling that I get that seems inexplicable and yet so familiar. That feeling of contentment and happiness in helping to make someone happy, contributing to something larger and greater. The draw of the gathering for someone important and knowing that we wanted to be there.
That feeling, that level of joyousness floated gently when we arrived at the retirement for our friend, and crescendoed and lasted all through the evening's kind, friendly, gentle, funny and good cheer, and deeply warming celebration. Over 100 friends gathered to honor Donna with stories of shared escapades, funny and unexpected outcomes from traveling or training sessions, stories of support and encouragement, and stories of mutual gratitude. A song to honor Donna in the same manner of love and kindness and humor. They ("Diversity Donnettes") designed the song for a sing-along, and we all sang loudly and joyously.
As the stories were told, we realized that we only knew Donna in one context, one facet of her life and her profession. There were so many stories about her life and work that we did not know about her! We learned more about this amazing woman - about what was not only important to her, but also what was important to us as her friends and colleagues - the many lessons that she taught us about inclusion, about culture, about protocol, about hotel soaps and about showing up to do the right thing! We know they were not lessons that she planned out, but by her own fierce belief in humanity and equality and justice, and her generous giving, we learned from her life and her living.
In that, we shared a common unity. I believe we are all an important part of her life too. In that we basked in her glow of inclusiveness and love, an evening to mark her accomplishments, recognize her life-long contributions, and her passions, her commitment and advocacy for so many personal and professional causes.
And so we were glad that we drove across the state to join this celebration and her many friends and family. Sometimes you just have to show up. Sometimes you just have to take that trip, and we are all richer for the journey.
No comments:
Post a Comment