Hi, there
Congratulations to the winner of our R350.00 gift voucher newsletter competition. The details of the prize has been e-mailed to you.
For more information on who the winner is, log onto: http://easterngifts.co.za/gift-giving-step-program-a-49.html.
Also, Eastern Gifts and Things cc will be offering free gift wrapping on all purchases made through the site until Christmas! So, happy shopping!!!
Regards,
M.
Thursday, November 15, 2007
Tuesday, November 13, 2007
Last Day!!!
Hi, there
Just a friendly reminder that today is the last day to enter our newsletter competition. Tomorrow we do the draw and some lucky person will win a R350.00 gift voucher for Eastern Gifts and Things cc. Which I am sure will be nice and in time for Christmas!
All you have to do, is sign up to receive our bi-monthly newsletter. As easy as that - and you will stand in line to win this amazing gift voucher from Eastern Gifts! BUT, today is your last day to enter! Click on the link here: http://easterngifts.co.za/newsletter.php?osCsid=4adbe03d0274cb803d9526e555a20f04
Good luck,
Regards,
M.
Just a friendly reminder that today is the last day to enter our newsletter competition. Tomorrow we do the draw and some lucky person will win a R350.00 gift voucher for Eastern Gifts and Things cc. Which I am sure will be nice and in time for Christmas!
All you have to do, is sign up to receive our bi-monthly newsletter. As easy as that - and you will stand in line to win this amazing gift voucher from Eastern Gifts! BUT, today is your last day to enter! Click on the link here: http://easterngifts.co.za/newsletter.php?osCsid=4adbe03d0274cb803d9526e555a20f04
Good luck,
Regards,
M.
Monday, November 12, 2007
The Art of Gift Giving-a 10 Step Program
Hi, there
While, we don’t all have a natural flair for selecting the perfect gift for any occasion, help is at hand. I came across this article on gift giving, which I thought was pretty pertinent with Christmas just around the corner. For more information on the author (not me) and the article, click here: http://blog.cmariestationery.com/2006/05/art-of-gift-giving-10-step-program.html
“The Art of Gift Giving: A 10 Step Program
You're in a rut, a slump, a deep dark trench with no visible way out. Your gifts are no good, you've boycotted weddings and birthdays because you have no desire to purchase a gift, and you're already planning your holiday season getaway plan. When it comes to gift giving, my friend, you have a problem. Fear not. Follow this ten step program and begin the road to recovery. Watch as you emerge from your social cocoon and relish in your friends' admiration. Learn to enjoy giving gifts, and reap the rewards through strengthened relationships.
Step 1: Give gifts because you want to, not because you are obligated to do so. When you think of gift giving as a necessity, it automatically becomes an undesirable chore. Remind yourself that giving gifts is optional. Nothing requires you to do so. While society may have ingrained this thought in your mind, it's like leaving a tip for a waiter - if nothing merits a gift, then you have no obligation to give one.
Step 2: Take notes. Unless you were blessed with an incredible memory, keep notes throughout the year on appropriate gifts for people. If someone mentions a book that they've been dying to read, write it down. If a client made a comment about his favorite dessert, jot it down while it's fresh on your mind. When it comes time to give a gift, you'll appreciate having this information on hand, as it will make your gift search much easier when it comes time to selecting an appropriate gift.
Step 3: Celebrate the little things. Surprise people with an unexpected gift. These days, our mailboxes are bombarded with bills and junk mail, and there's nothing more pleasant than getting a small package without reason. Don't simply give gifts for standard occasions (birthdays, weddings, holidays); celebrate events that would otherwise go unnoticed. Share a friend's excitement over a new car by mixing her a CD with songs for the road. Congratulate a client on a promotion with a bottle of champagne. Such small gestures can have an enormous impact on a relationship, showing that you take notice of things that are important to other people with no expectation of reciprocity.
Step 4: Express yourself, your recipient, and your relationship. Remember, this is your one shot to give a gift to this person, on this date, for this occasion, so make it count. Don't waste this opportunity with something generic like a tie or bath products. They're overdone, and appear much less thoughtful than a gift that is geared specifically toward the particular event. Write down all of the characteristics of the recipient, of your relationship with them, and of the occasion, and begin to look for links to gifts. Gift giving is an art form, so embrace the opportunity to add in elements of your own personality as well. Incorporate your sense of humor or sentimental side, show off your photography skills, or share your love of writing. If you're giving gifts on behalf of an organization, incorporate the group's brand into your gifts. Define a way to make your gifts stand out and represent both sides of the relationship.
Step 5: Give something they would never buy themselves. There is nothing more satisfying than receiving a gift of pure luxury, excess, and indulgence. If you know someone loves the theater but tends to buy tickets in the back corner, allow them to enjoy a show while seated front and center. While certain circumstances may require you to give a necessity, spice it up with something fun. For example, when I first moved into my townhouse, my mom bought me (at my request) an Oreck vacuum cleaner. While I needed it, it wasn't a gift that I really wanted, but because she added in all sorts of fun scented carpet fresheners, I was actually excited about vacuuming...which I never thought possible.
Step 6: Keep the audience in mind. While you want a gift to be personal, think of the circumstances in which the gift will be given. This applies to both the recipient (i.e., don't give a Christmas ornament to a Jewish man in July) and those who will be witnessing the opening of the gift (don't give sexy lingerie to a woman when her parents are present).
Step 7: Present your gift well. Like anything in life, presentation can make or break your gift. Handing a Waterford crystal bowl over in a Wal-Mart bag doesn't have the same effect as when it's wrapped in beautiful paper, tied with coordinating ribbon, and topped with a beaded gift topper. Everything from the gift to the filler to the wrapping has significant impact on how your gift is perceived, so take the extra effort to make your gift look as beautiful as the sentiment that it represents.
Step 8: Include a handwritten note. No gift is complete without a handwritten note attached. You can write it on the back of a gift card, on a notecard, or if you have a lot to say, write it on some nice stationery. Of course, exceptions can be made for gifts purchased via internet, but even in these circumstances you should type in a message to be included with the gift. Just be sure to write something personal, and more than the standard, "Happy birthday!" or "With love,..." Invest the time to write something special.
Step 9: Send your gifts on time. No matter how amazing your gift is, if it is received months after the fact, it tends to lose its purpose. By planning ahead, you can avoid this last minute rush. First, consolidate all of your recurring events into a single calendar. Set aside one day per month to review the events of the upcoming month, and use this time to purchase, wrap and write notes. I also highly recommend creating a gift closet to take care of those moments when time truly gets the best of you. Here you can keep an emergency stock of gifts to give, along with extra wrapping supplies and cards.
Step 10: Look for inspiration everywhere. Gift giving is a form of art that is constantly being refined, and as you master these basic skills, refine your art by scouring the world for unique ways to make your gifts even more personal. Keep it in the back of your mind when searching through magazines, traveling, or wandering through a favorite store. You'll be amazed at the ideas that you generate when you least expect it. Take note of gifts that you appreciate, and think about what made that gift special. Inspiration is all around you; the key is training your mind to look at everything as a potential idea.
Congratulations! You are on your way to a lifetime of success, with adoring friends and loyal business relationships. Repeat after me: ‘My name is [insert your name here] and I am a joyful gift giver.’”
And now that we are all a little more clued up on the art of gift giving, allow me the opportunity of sharing what Eastern Gifts and Things cc can do to assist. First of all, we stock handcrafted gift items not easily found on the retail market. This will ensure that gifts purchased at our store will be unique quality handcrafted items. Secondly, we will gift wrap your purchase for you. All you need to do is specify the occasion in the comments field when placing your order, and we will do the rest. Third, we deliver anywhere in South Africa. So, if your family and friends have an occasion to be celebrated in Rivier-Sonder-End, and you are not able to make it, we will make sure your gift arrives on time – elegantly wrapped for the occasion at hand.
And, if you’re still not sure on a suitable gift – we also have gift vouchers and gift baskets that can be made up according to order. You tell us what you want and we do it for you!
Remember, we pack it, wrap it and deliver it – anywhere in South Africa.
Regards,
THE EASTERN GIFTS TEAM
Check out our blogs: http://easterngifts.blogspot.com/ or http://www.easterngifts.iblog.co.za/
“The Art of Gift Giving: A 10 Step Program
You're in a rut, a slump, a deep dark trench with no visible way out. Your gifts are no good, you've boycotted weddings and birthdays because you have no desire to purchase a gift, and you're already planning your holiday season getaway plan. When it comes to gift giving, my friend, you have a problem. Fear not. Follow this ten step program and begin the road to recovery. Watch as you emerge from your social cocoon and relish in your friends' admiration. Learn to enjoy giving gifts, and reap the rewards through strengthened relationships.
Step 1: Give gifts because you want to, not because you are obligated to do so. When you think of gift giving as a necessity, it automatically becomes an undesirable chore. Remind yourself that giving gifts is optional. Nothing requires you to do so. While society may have ingrained this thought in your mind, it's like leaving a tip for a waiter - if nothing merits a gift, then you have no obligation to give one.
Step 2: Take notes. Unless you were blessed with an incredible memory, keep notes throughout the year on appropriate gifts for people. If someone mentions a book that they've been dying to read, write it down. If a client made a comment about his favorite dessert, jot it down while it's fresh on your mind. When it comes time to give a gift, you'll appreciate having this information on hand, as it will make your gift search much easier when it comes time to selecting an appropriate gift.
Step 3: Celebrate the little things. Surprise people with an unexpected gift. These days, our mailboxes are bombarded with bills and junk mail, and there's nothing more pleasant than getting a small package without reason. Don't simply give gifts for standard occasions (birthdays, weddings, holidays); celebrate events that would otherwise go unnoticed. Share a friend's excitement over a new car by mixing her a CD with songs for the road. Congratulate a client on a promotion with a bottle of champagne. Such small gestures can have an enormous impact on a relationship, showing that you take notice of things that are important to other people with no expectation of reciprocity.
Step 4: Express yourself, your recipient, and your relationship. Remember, this is your one shot to give a gift to this person, on this date, for this occasion, so make it count. Don't waste this opportunity with something generic like a tie or bath products. They're overdone, and appear much less thoughtful than a gift that is geared specifically toward the particular event. Write down all of the characteristics of the recipient, of your relationship with them, and of the occasion, and begin to look for links to gifts. Gift giving is an art form, so embrace the opportunity to add in elements of your own personality as well. Incorporate your sense of humor or sentimental side, show off your photography skills, or share your love of writing. If you're giving gifts on behalf of an organization, incorporate the group's brand into your gifts. Define a way to make your gifts stand out and represent both sides of the relationship.
Step 5: Give something they would never buy themselves. There is nothing more satisfying than receiving a gift of pure luxury, excess, and indulgence. If you know someone loves the theater but tends to buy tickets in the back corner, allow them to enjoy a show while seated front and center. While certain circumstances may require you to give a necessity, spice it up with something fun. For example, when I first moved into my townhouse, my mom bought me (at my request) an Oreck vacuum cleaner. While I needed it, it wasn't a gift that I really wanted, but because she added in all sorts of fun scented carpet fresheners, I was actually excited about vacuuming...which I never thought possible.
Step 6: Keep the audience in mind. While you want a gift to be personal, think of the circumstances in which the gift will be given. This applies to both the recipient (i.e., don't give a Christmas ornament to a Jewish man in July) and those who will be witnessing the opening of the gift (don't give sexy lingerie to a woman when her parents are present).
Step 7: Present your gift well. Like anything in life, presentation can make or break your gift. Handing a Waterford crystal bowl over in a Wal-Mart bag doesn't have the same effect as when it's wrapped in beautiful paper, tied with coordinating ribbon, and topped with a beaded gift topper. Everything from the gift to the filler to the wrapping has significant impact on how your gift is perceived, so take the extra effort to make your gift look as beautiful as the sentiment that it represents.
Step 8: Include a handwritten note. No gift is complete without a handwritten note attached. You can write it on the back of a gift card, on a notecard, or if you have a lot to say, write it on some nice stationery. Of course, exceptions can be made for gifts purchased via internet, but even in these circumstances you should type in a message to be included with the gift. Just be sure to write something personal, and more than the standard, "Happy birthday!" or "With love,..." Invest the time to write something special.
Step 9: Send your gifts on time. No matter how amazing your gift is, if it is received months after the fact, it tends to lose its purpose. By planning ahead, you can avoid this last minute rush. First, consolidate all of your recurring events into a single calendar. Set aside one day per month to review the events of the upcoming month, and use this time to purchase, wrap and write notes. I also highly recommend creating a gift closet to take care of those moments when time truly gets the best of you. Here you can keep an emergency stock of gifts to give, along with extra wrapping supplies and cards.
Step 10: Look for inspiration everywhere. Gift giving is a form of art that is constantly being refined, and as you master these basic skills, refine your art by scouring the world for unique ways to make your gifts even more personal. Keep it in the back of your mind when searching through magazines, traveling, or wandering through a favorite store. You'll be amazed at the ideas that you generate when you least expect it. Take note of gifts that you appreciate, and think about what made that gift special. Inspiration is all around you; the key is training your mind to look at everything as a potential idea.
Congratulations! You are on your way to a lifetime of success, with adoring friends and loyal business relationships. Repeat after me: ‘My name is [insert your name here] and I am a joyful gift giver.’”
And now that we are all a little more clued up on the art of gift giving, allow me the opportunity of sharing what Eastern Gifts and Things cc can do to assist. First of all, we stock handcrafted gift items not easily found on the retail market. This will ensure that gifts purchased at our store will be unique quality handcrafted items. Secondly, we will gift wrap your purchase for you. All you need to do is specify the occasion in the comments field when placing your order, and we will do the rest. Third, we deliver anywhere in South Africa. So, if your family and friends have an occasion to be celebrated in Rivier-Sonder-End, and you are not able to make it, we will make sure your gift arrives on time – elegantly wrapped for the occasion at hand.
And, if you’re still not sure on a suitable gift – we also have gift vouchers and gift baskets that can be made up according to order. You tell us what you want and we do it for you!
Remember, we pack it, wrap it and deliver it – anywhere in South Africa.
Regards,
THE EASTERN GIFTS TEAM
Check out our blogs: http://easterngifts.blogspot.com/ or http://www.easterngifts.iblog.co.za/
Wednesday, November 7, 2007
Sea Fever
I remember studying this poem as a child at school (could be giving my age away here), and I could almost quote it verbatim when I came across it in a magazine recently. Its by John Masefield:
I must go down to the sea again, to the lonely sea and the sky,
And all I ask is a tall ship and a star to steer her by;
And the wheel's kick and the wind's song and the whitesail's shaking,
And a gray mist on the sea's face, and a gray dawn breaking.
I must go down to the seas again, for the call of therunning tide
Is a wild call and a clear call that may not be denied;
All I ask is a windy day with the white clouds flying, And the
flung spray and the blown spume, and the seagulls crying.
I must go down to the seas again, to the vagrant gypsy life,
To the gull's way and the whale's way, where the wind's like
a whetted knife;
And all I ask is a merry yarn from a laughing fellow-rover,
And a quiet sleep and a sweet dream when the long trip's over.
Broadband Special
Hi, there
Eastern Gifts and Things cc and Cadence Innovations have partnered to offer you this amazing broadband deal – purchase any of these broadband specials and qualify for gift vouchers through Eastern Gifts and Things cc who cater for all your home gifting requirements.
Vodacom Data Messenger Plus: Sign up for this R85.00 per month HSDPA/3G contract and qualify for a R100.00 Eastern Gifts and Things cc Gift Voucher. Vodacom My MEG 500: Sign up for this R249.00 per month HSDPA/3G contract and qualify for a R200.00 Eastern Gifts and Things cc Gift Voucher. Vodacom My GIG One: Sign up for this R349.00 per month HSDPA/3G contract and qualify for a R300.00 Eastern Gifts and Things cc Gift Voucher.
No hidden costs:
- Free SIM
- Free connection
- No compulsory value added services
- Free signal testing (Port Elizabeth only)
Delivery by courier to anywhere in South Africa:
- Port Elizabeth: Free
- Eastern Cape: R70.00
- National: R90.00
For further information: Act Now! Contact Ed Bennett on 0823 366 388 or www.cadence.co.za or via e-mail on ed@cadence.co.za.
Terms and Conditions Apply!
Promotion ends 31 January 2008—sign up now to qualify for these free gift vouchers!
Questions and Comments? E-mail Ed Bennett on ed@cadence.co.za for more information or log onto www.cadence.co.za.
Regards,
M.
Eastern Gifts and Things cc and Cadence Innovations have partnered to offer you this amazing broadband deal – purchase any of these broadband specials and qualify for gift vouchers through Eastern Gifts and Things cc who cater for all your home gifting requirements.
Vodacom Data Messenger Plus: Sign up for this R85.00 per month HSDPA/3G contract and qualify for a R100.00 Eastern Gifts and Things cc Gift Voucher. Vodacom My MEG 500: Sign up for this R249.00 per month HSDPA/3G contract and qualify for a R200.00 Eastern Gifts and Things cc Gift Voucher. Vodacom My GIG One: Sign up for this R349.00 per month HSDPA/3G contract and qualify for a R300.00 Eastern Gifts and Things cc Gift Voucher.
No hidden costs:
- Free SIM
- Free connection
- No compulsory value added services
- Free signal testing (Port Elizabeth only)
Delivery by courier to anywhere in South Africa:
- Port Elizabeth: Free
- Eastern Cape: R70.00
- National: R90.00
For further information: Act Now! Contact Ed Bennett on 0823 366 388 or www.cadence.co.za or via e-mail on ed@cadence.co.za.
Terms and Conditions Apply!
Promotion ends 31 January 2008—sign up now to qualify for these free gift vouchers!
Questions and Comments? E-mail Ed Bennett on ed@cadence.co.za for more information or log onto www.cadence.co.za.
Regards,
M.
Monday, November 5, 2007
American Express...
FYI - Eastern Gifts and Things cc now excepts American Express cards on-line! So, along with Visa & Mastercard, we now also accept American Express. Remember, none of your credit card details are ever stored online, making our on-line shopping experience safe and secure. For more information in this regard, visit www.paygate.co.za or www.standardbank.co.za.
Or, alternatively, if you have any queries, e-mail us on info@easterngifts.co.za.
Happy shopping.
Regards,
M.
Or, alternatively, if you have any queries, e-mail us on info@easterngifts.co.za.
Happy shopping.
Regards,
M.
Friday, November 2, 2007
Left to Wonder
************************************
Left to Wonder
************************************
"Regret for the things we did can be tempered by time; it is regret for the things we did not do that is inconsolable." – Sydney Smith
By Robert Ringer
When I was a teenager, one of my good friends was "Gary." Gary was one of those kids who were targets of the taunters and teasers. Even nice guys threw barbs at him, but he took it in a good-natured way.
I probably teased Gary myself on occasion... I honestly can't remember... but I went out of my way to be kind to him most of the time. I liked Gary, because he was a genuinely nice person.
What caused Gary to be teased so much was the way he spoke (a little odd) and ran (very odd). Seems strange now, but no one - including me - ever stopped to think about what might be wrong with someone who had what we would now clearly consider to be a disability. If someone walked, talked, or acted differently than everyone else, he was simply thought of as a "donkey," "do-do," "dork," "weirdo," etc. Compassion and understanding were scarce commodities in those days.
Things like "learning disorders" and conditions such as autism, Asperger's Syndrome, or dyslexia were never discussed. Nor did teachers or school staff members even dream of giving kids with such problems special accommodations. It was a pretty cold world for those youngsters. You either cut it or you didn't.
By the standards of yesteryear, Gary's dad was perceived to be rich by everyone who lived in our little version of Peyton Place. By today's standards, of course, he really wasn't. But I loved going over to Gary's house, because he had everything - including a great recreation room in the basement with a jukebox, ping pong table, pinball machine, and more.
What was really interesting about Gary was that even though the bullies in our class tried to make him out to be a dummy, he was actually very smart. I remember playing a game with him one afternoon with two dictionaries. One of us would throw out a word, then we would race to see who could find it in the dictionary first.
As best as I can recall, Gary found every word faster than I did. It just about drove me nuts. It was the first time I consciously thought about how smart he was. I also recall dragging Gary into touch-football games in the street with two of my neighbors who were roughly our age. He could catch the ball pretty well, but he ran stiff-legged like a duck. One of my neighbors ("Larry"), who was in the grade below us, would mock him unmercifully for this. Interesting, now that I think about it, given the fact that Larry was one of the dumbest kids in his class, having flunked at least one full year that I know of.
As is so often the case, we all went our separate ways after high school. After a number of years had passed, I heard from "Ben," my best friend in high school, that Gary had moved to Washington, D.C. Every time I came to Washington, I thought about trying to get in touch with him, but it never happened. Too busy with business matters.
Years later, when I moved to the D.C. area, I finally tracked down Gary's telephone number. I thought it would be a kick to get together with my old high school pal and see how his life had turned out. I'd heard that he was an attorney, but I didn't know if he had ever gotten married or had children. Plus, as an adult in a much more open, knowledgeable, and medically aware world, I was curious as to what Gary's condition was and how successful he had been in rising above it.
Gary kept creeping up on my to-do list, until he eventually made it to the top 10. I felt sure I would be able to get in touch with him and manage to have a little reunion within the next few weeks. I was very much looking forward to it.
But before I made the effort to actually do it, I took a short trip back to Peyton Place to visit my elderly mother in her nursing home. Ben picked me up at the airport and, as soon as I got in the car, said to me, "Before I even pull away from the curb, I want to tell you something. Gary died a few days ago - on the operating table while having open-heart surgery." I was stunned.
I'm angry with myself that I never made it a point to see Gary. I'll never know the answers to all the questions I had about him and his life. I especially wanted to talk to him about his condition, as I have two children with disabilities. But I was too late.
Which leaves me thinking about all those things on my to-do list that were always ahead of getting in touch with Gary. In retrospect, I ask myself, "Was each and every one of them more important than seeing him?" I guess I'll just have to keep wondering ... and wonder what our reunion might have been like.
Who's on your to-do list, and how many tasks are ahead of that person? You might want to start wondering about your priorities. Wondering about them today - not tomorrow - might just lead to action instead of regrets. When you wait until tomorrow to wonder, action is sometimes not an option.
Left to Wonder
************************************
"Regret for the things we did can be tempered by time; it is regret for the things we did not do that is inconsolable." – Sydney Smith
By Robert Ringer
When I was a teenager, one of my good friends was "Gary." Gary was one of those kids who were targets of the taunters and teasers. Even nice guys threw barbs at him, but he took it in a good-natured way.
I probably teased Gary myself on occasion... I honestly can't remember... but I went out of my way to be kind to him most of the time. I liked Gary, because he was a genuinely nice person.
What caused Gary to be teased so much was the way he spoke (a little odd) and ran (very odd). Seems strange now, but no one - including me - ever stopped to think about what might be wrong with someone who had what we would now clearly consider to be a disability. If someone walked, talked, or acted differently than everyone else, he was simply thought of as a "donkey," "do-do," "dork," "weirdo," etc. Compassion and understanding were scarce commodities in those days.
Things like "learning disorders" and conditions such as autism, Asperger's Syndrome, or dyslexia were never discussed. Nor did teachers or school staff members even dream of giving kids with such problems special accommodations. It was a pretty cold world for those youngsters. You either cut it or you didn't.
By the standards of yesteryear, Gary's dad was perceived to be rich by everyone who lived in our little version of Peyton Place. By today's standards, of course, he really wasn't. But I loved going over to Gary's house, because he had everything - including a great recreation room in the basement with a jukebox, ping pong table, pinball machine, and more.
What was really interesting about Gary was that even though the bullies in our class tried to make him out to be a dummy, he was actually very smart. I remember playing a game with him one afternoon with two dictionaries. One of us would throw out a word, then we would race to see who could find it in the dictionary first.
As best as I can recall, Gary found every word faster than I did. It just about drove me nuts. It was the first time I consciously thought about how smart he was. I also recall dragging Gary into touch-football games in the street with two of my neighbors who were roughly our age. He could catch the ball pretty well, but he ran stiff-legged like a duck. One of my neighbors ("Larry"), who was in the grade below us, would mock him unmercifully for this. Interesting, now that I think about it, given the fact that Larry was one of the dumbest kids in his class, having flunked at least one full year that I know of.
As is so often the case, we all went our separate ways after high school. After a number of years had passed, I heard from "Ben," my best friend in high school, that Gary had moved to Washington, D.C. Every time I came to Washington, I thought about trying to get in touch with him, but it never happened. Too busy with business matters.
Years later, when I moved to the D.C. area, I finally tracked down Gary's telephone number. I thought it would be a kick to get together with my old high school pal and see how his life had turned out. I'd heard that he was an attorney, but I didn't know if he had ever gotten married or had children. Plus, as an adult in a much more open, knowledgeable, and medically aware world, I was curious as to what Gary's condition was and how successful he had been in rising above it.
Gary kept creeping up on my to-do list, until he eventually made it to the top 10. I felt sure I would be able to get in touch with him and manage to have a little reunion within the next few weeks. I was very much looking forward to it.
But before I made the effort to actually do it, I took a short trip back to Peyton Place to visit my elderly mother in her nursing home. Ben picked me up at the airport and, as soon as I got in the car, said to me, "Before I even pull away from the curb, I want to tell you something. Gary died a few days ago - on the operating table while having open-heart surgery." I was stunned.
I'm angry with myself that I never made it a point to see Gary. I'll never know the answers to all the questions I had about him and his life. I especially wanted to talk to him about his condition, as I have two children with disabilities. But I was too late.
Which leaves me thinking about all those things on my to-do list that were always ahead of getting in touch with Gary. In retrospect, I ask myself, "Was each and every one of them more important than seeing him?" I guess I'll just have to keep wondering ... and wonder what our reunion might have been like.
Who's on your to-do list, and how many tasks are ahead of that person? You might want to start wondering about your priorities. Wondering about them today - not tomorrow - might just lead to action instead of regrets. When you wait until tomorrow to wonder, action is sometimes not an option.
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