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Every year my daughter’s agency has what is called a ‘Candlelight
Ball’. It is a special celebration and formal black tie affair. It has things
like a silent auction, 50/50 raffle and an honoree that we praise to the
heavens and thank for his or her generosity, dedication and devotion to the
agency. Corporations are awarded thank you of some kind and I think you get the
picture. When I was president of the organization I used to wear a tuxedo to
the event. After doing that a few times, people were tipping me thinking I was
the waiter, so now I wear a suit.
Our last scheduled ball was to be in late October. Early on
October 29, Hurricane Sandy curved north-northwest and then moved
ashore in New Jersey, just to the northeast of Atlantic City, as a
post-tropical cyclone with hurricane-force winds. Without tickets to the
Candlelight Ball, it headed right to the venue and all day we wondered what
would be. Anticipating an incredible cocktail hour, spiked with great dishes
that defied you to sit through the full-course dinner that was to come and the
endless small talk. What was: was a cancellation of the ball! A new date was
needed. We pointed our collective noses toward February 9th as the
new target date, crossing our fingers that we didn’t get snowed out.
The morning dawned crisp, cold and grey, with little misty
like snowflakes that gradually grew and an avalanche of emails stating to hold
on, don’t polish those dancing shoes just yet, we will try to do it and let’s
see how bad it is getting. We should have crossed our fingers, toes and instead
crossed our eyes: as the snow grew worse by the hour! Once again, we called off
the ball!
Did you ever hear the phrase: “I give up!” or have you ever
been exasperated?
One more date was scheduled for March. March 21 would be the
new target date, the next attempt at the Candlelight Ball. This time we
decided, to prevent a major storm, we would schedule a scaled down version of
the big event. Maybe keep it within the norms of just a bad weather day and not
a major storm, maybe winds under 25 mph or snow under 6 inches.
March 21st dawned cold, crisp and grey, and as
the day progressed, so did the snow showers. As I emerged from under my bed to
see if I should dress or not for the ‘ball’, I watched with amazement as the
snow started to build up on my lawn, shrubs and car, it was a ‘why not?’ kind
of experience. But because it WAS scaled down, all out weather objectives were achieved!
Going to the event that evening, I sat there and felt like I
had a fight with someone bigger and stronger than me, but that I did not quit,
and fought on until I survived. I was battered and bruised, but I was still
standing! I guess the three Jack Daniels Manhattans helped me along.
It was: “Welcome to LAST YEAR”S Candlelight Ball. That is
OK, I was a little younger then.
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