Best of Both Worlds!!

Yes, it does appear I am getting older!! It wasn’t too long ago that I could rely on my memory for just about everything; however; this past Friday that memory failed me. Our incredible group of Gamblers Anonymous was hosting its very first mini-conference on Saturday and I had the privilege and honor (along with a very dear friend) to help facilitate one of the workshops. We prepared a PowerPoint presentation with the very able assistance of my 11 year old daughter (without her this would not have been a very good slide show!) and were scheduled to go on first thing Saturday morning. I had secured a projector screen to display the PowerPoint presentation. However; as I mentioned earlier my memory failed me and I completely forgot to pick up the screen. Thankfully and very fortunately I have a great friend who was able to make some calls on my behalf and the screen was delivered (by this great friend) 15 minutes prior to the presentation. The lesson for me is that I need to write things down and as my daughter said, “Daddy, you need to make a list.” Yes, I do need to make a list and my memory is not as good as it once was!

Saturday morning started very early with me going to the gym. I continue to working out and it appears my next marathon will be in October as I again try to qualify for the Boston Marathon. In September there is a triathlon that I would like to enter and I do need to adjust my training accordingly. I did sign up for a half marathon in the middle of August and this is one I have run in the past. The half marathon is a good distance and unlike the marathon this distance does not debilitate my senses!! In any event I haven’t officially started training for anything but have gone back to the gym to maintain my fitness routine. I had a slow start in the morning as my memory failed me once again but I was able to collect what I needed for the day and make it out the door.

I had a good workout and headed over to the venue for the mini conference. As I pulled up at the very early hour of the morning I was extremely impressed with the cadre of volunteers already in attendance helping set up for the event. This is the majesty of the Gamblers Anonymous program because here were many people who had given up their Saturday to help in any way they could for the betterment of the Program. I had to smile as I walked in and witnessed all the good things that were happening before my very eyes. I am not an event planner in any way, shape or form. I have attended many conferences as a participant and visitor but this was something very different and very special. This was indeed very special and I am so happy to be a very small part of this exquisite undertaking.

Our presentation was on the “Twenty Questions” as produced in the Gamblers Anonymous Program Combo Book. My dear friend had down his rendition a few months ago in the Speaker’s Meeting and it went very well. We took this idea and had our own workshop. Everything went well and the presentation seemed to be very well received. We did run a little long but that didn’t matter one bit and it felt great to be speaking in the workshop. I do so enjoy speaking in front of people and ever since my first speech back in high school I have always felt more comfortable in front of the group than I have while inside the group.

I was very fun and I was again very fortunate to have all the “stars aligned” as I was able to make it to my son’s baseball game. There was a distinct possibility that I could miss his game but as fate would have it I made it to the field with plenty of time to spare. My son is near the end of the season and one more loss would mean the end of the season. My son’s team was playing a team that hadn’t beaten all year but finally broke through for an 8-2 victory. My son was hit in the hip in his very first at bat and he seemed like he could be hurt but shook it off and in his third at bat stroked a legitimate triple to right field. I do have to highlight the fact that it was a legitimate triple with no errors by the opposing team. He was so happy rounding the bases and gave me a fist pump as he made it to third base. This was so cool and he is improving every game.

The game ended and my son’s team lives to play another day (Monday). I made my way back to the mini conference and I need to note that there was nothing “mini” about this conference because it was major in every sense of the word. I was able to observe the closing ceremonies and once again I am so happy I made my way back to be a small part of this very special event. People came from far and wide to attend and our group should be very proud of this incredible accomplishment. I was able to see some members I haven’t seen in awhile and it was great to reconnect with them. Wow, wow, and more wow should be given to everyone who helped. We have two very special members of our group who are affectionately known as the “Godmother” and the “Godfather”. Without these two very special people know of what transpired on Saturday would have ever happened. I am blessed, grateful and in awe to know these great people. If there was any doubt about the Gamblers Anonymous Program all those doubts were erased with the outpouring of love at this conference, thank you so very much!!!