Entering The Shrine

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North's Journey Journal: Entrance to The Shrine

FUN RAISER!!!!

“Silent gratitude isn't very much to anyone.” Gertrude Stein (American Writer. 1874-1946)

Over the past week, we have been silent, yet in much gratitude. The silence was out of exhaustion. Happy exhaustion. Swept off our feet exhaustion. The gratitude was for so much love that was extended to us. Both were the result of The Buckler’s hosting a wonderful event last Friday the 4th

Click THIS Text to go to Tabblo site for more photos of our FUN RAISER. There you can enlarge photos, see a slideshow and more.

Our hearts and souls were so nurtured by the laughter, singing, hugs, stories, and giving of financial support. I simply ran out of energy and just had to be still and quite for most of the week. Stef had a full week of clients and the blog just became a low priority. Yet, Stef and I remained thankful. Finally, we’re now catching up. For all who helped with the Fund Raiser, just know that the slowness of this post does not reflect our exuberant gratitude. WE ARE SOOOOO THANKFUL!!!

From food, to music to gaming to singing and auctioning, the evening was a smile-feast. At one point I stopped and looked around, pinching myself, not to wake up, but to imprint how blessed Stef and I are.

We enjoyed a cornucopia of real relationships. In one evening we were joined by new friends, old friends, immediate family, extended family and extended in-laws with future in-laws! (Ahhh the wonders of institution of marriage in the modern age) And it was an event put on via cooperation and inspiration. Of course, everyone knew us, but if you knew more than 5 others in the room, you were the exception. Everyone there helped to cheat time, as each of you conspired to join us for a single present moment, regardless of the point in time that our relationship began. Of course, there were others who could not be there, yet their presence was felt all the same.

Music Highlights: Mark Romero, Harold Payne, Avery Burdette, and Mark Woods graced us with beauty, wit and harmony. Each is a powerful, successful, professional entertainer with their own business. What they shared, beyond music, were huge hearts that were willing to share their talents for this evening. They treated us to a custom song and a shared jam at the end of the evening that was unforgettable.

MC Highlights: Steve Buckler did a fantastic job as MC. Not only did he display his natural “front of the room charm and grace”, but he slipped in a real human moment of compassion that reflected what we all were feeling. Yes, I was too. The moment of simultaneously feeling love and happiness and unbounded uncertainty is not a human experience even the most experienced gambler in the world can mask.

Beating the Odds: Having Susan (Zach’s Mom) put this event together was such a testament to her character and to Love always beating the odds. We went our separate ways over 16 years ago, but have stayed steadfast in raising Zach. In that, Love transformed and tempered us into good friends and parents. As Steve said we are a large family that would not have been possible without his and her open heart. During the evening I learned of others that were facing or had faced the Cancer Free challenge of beating the odds. (Their privacy is respected and no association with pictures here) I was deeply touched by their stories and by their presence. And there were others not there, due to their treatment process. For example, we would not have had such a wonderful venue if Molly Fields had not made it possible as a member of the Niguel Shores community. Yet, as a co-hostess of the evening she could only be there in thought, because she had had treatments just days before. And I know first hand how there is no negotiating with Chemo side effects. The key, we all know, is not in holding onto the medical prognosis. Its hearing it and then choosing to create your own prognosis. Life Is Always Abundant and Rich.

Winner Highlights: Simone Moore won the two nights to Las Vegas by amassing over 32,000+ in chip winnings. An amazing win, given a starting point of 1,000 and only a few hours of playing time! Simone… what happens at our Fund Raisers doesn’t stay there, but what you do in Vegas is all yours!

Silent Auction Highlights: Simone Moore blessed us with being the dominant bidder for a number of items as well. We were so blessed by donations from so many people in the room and from others who could not attend. There were over 20 items on display. For Stef and I the joy came in seeing Leigh Abraham’s pottery capture its rightful level of respect with winning bids by two highly generous and loving men- Jim Smith and Fred Adams. Jim will take Leigh’s art out of state making her interstate reknown. Fred raised the value of her art by bidding a very generous 4 figure amount. For many of you that asked, Jim and his wife Kathy are ‘once long time neighbors’ and very dear friends of the Buckler family. Fred Adams was my last client (via Resources Global) , before I went on disability. I was so happy that he and Ron Hussey and Ron’s wife Brenda joined us for the evening. The work I did with their company was rewarding and they were wonderful clients. Ron donated two beautiful bottles of wine to the Auction that were very popular. Other donations ranged from shopping at Nordstrom’s to personal coaching services to Barbara Marx Hubbard’s new documentary series Humanity Ascending. (Find out more about this fascinating film at www.evolve.com)

Our Gratitude: In attempting to note what people do in such a large and diverse group, you always run the risk of failing to say thank-you to someone, or noticing their efforts. Space and time on blogs is always an issue. The fact that you have been with us in person, by cards, by donation or via whatever role or form of relationship continues to be the best gift we received. Just know your gift is deeply appreciated. We are very Grateful for YOUR love and care. Please keep those positive prayers and thoughts flowing… Stef and I have a lot of liven’ still to do.