Unexpected delivery Regarding my writing, you may have
sensed I’m a loner, usually unapologetically independent but always interested in
other points of view. Often, I’m able to gain greater insight by encountering
opposition. Overarching almost any issue that is the focus of such meaningful
debate is a shared quest for truth. Without that, discussions that deal with
controversy would seem one sided.
Pieces of truth must be gathered from wherever they’re
found.
At times, collecting those pieces involves confronting
feelings or thoughts that are attached to inanimate objects. The stronger that
link is, the more valuable that object becomes.
That’s one reason I enjoy attending auctions. Often, I sit
next to someone who has won a bid and I ask how they knew to bid enough to win.
Often, I’m surprised to hear them say, “I just wanted it, so I bid until I got
it.” They hadn’t consulted an expert nor had they researched a similar item on
the Net.
However, those who know the value of what they want seem to
have more clarity. At least one friend does, a friend who collects steins, beer
mugs, mostly from Germany. What he didn’t know was that, while on a recent trip
to Manhattan, I had found and bought an old one that I thought he would love.
Thursday afternoon, I delivered it to his home. At least I
tried to. No one answered my knock. So I set the stein on the stoop in a spot
that was well hidden. Although I didn’t leave a note, I thought he might call
to ask whether I knew how it had gotten there.
He didn’t.
Around midnight, I finally e-mailed him about what I had
done. Then I went to sleep.
At seven a.m., I found a wonderful message from him, written
at about 1:30 a.m.:
And what a treat it was!!!!!!! I went to the B & H auction
tonight pretty much after 8 steins, one particularly I aimed to have. I
was willing to go a hundred. Then DAMN they sold them all for one money. I had
to drop out at $110. I was heartbroken. Then I come home and discover
Friend
Barry had left a grand one on my porch!!!!How cool is that! How right-on
timely. THANK YOU!
I was
also LUCKY at the end of the auction. I won the hundred dollar drawing!
Oh yes I did!
Receiving such a
wonderful message was a treat. How could either of us have known we would
contribute matching parts to a story that had grown bigger than any either of
us could tell?
Indeed, we could
not have known.
That’s why I’m
toying with an idea, one that could be beneficial and extremely enjoyable. Here
it is: I’m thinking about creating a group called Givers Anonymous. Members will
actively look for small projects to sponsor or small gifts to give to people in
need. Of course, there are many who could be considered “people in need” who
aren’t needy at all in a financial sense. Nonetheless, a timely small gift
could bring a smile, a bit of warmth, an antidote to loss.
Should I start
such a group? Or should I just continue my search for the occasional mug?
B.Koplen 8/10/13
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