TRIBUTE TO MY LATE HUSBAND, CHARLIE GLANZ

Today, May 10, marks the ten year anniversary of the death of my husband of 34 years. It is hard to believe that I have lived without him for a whole decade! He was my anchor, my soul mate, my lover, my business partner, and the dear father of our four children. I will miss him forever. I am a far better person because of his life and love. This beautiful poem expresses the legacy my children and I are each creating for him, giving away the love he so freely gave to all of us. “Love does not die, people do.”

Now that I am gone,
remember me with smiles and laughter.
And if you need to cry,
cry with your family and friends who walk in grief beside you.
And when you need me, put your arm
around a friend or loved one
and give to them what you need to give me.
There are so many who need so much.
I want to leave you something – something much better
than words or sounds.
Look for me in the people I’ve known
or helped in some special way.
Let me live in your heart as well as in your mind.
You can love me most by letting your love
reach out to family and friends,
by embracing them and living in their love.
Love does not die, people do.
So, when all that is left of me is love,
Give me away as best you can.
~Author unknown

There really ARE angels on earth! On Wednesday I flew from Sarasota, FL, to Hunsville, AL, for a dinner for the Candl Foundation, a wonderful ministry to help children learn to read. As always, I had a layover in the Atlanta airport, so I had time to have a nice lunch at TGI Friday’s in Terminal B. I visited with a number of the servers there and also met some interesting young men from Colombia, where we have had an “adopted” child for many years.

When I arrived at my hotel, I stopped in the bar to order a coke, and lo and behold, when I went to pay, my wallet was nowhere to be found! I then realized I must have left it in the restaurant at the Atlanta airport. What a panic! Of course it contained all my credit cards and personal information as well as a significant amount of money, and suddenly, I was left with no ID and no money. (Fortunately, I did have my passport in a travel wallet I carry separately in my computer bag.) Realizing I was terribly embarrassed (and probably glad I had only ordered a coke…), a gentleman at the bar paid for my drink. (Angel #1)

It took nearly 40 minutes and many calls to find a phone number for the correct restaurant. The young man at the front desk at the Holiday Inn in Huntsville tirelessly kept looking up numbers for me. (Angel #2) I initially thought I was at Chili’s (lesson: pay attention to the name of the restaurants where you eat) and since the receipt was in my wallet, I had no way of checking. However, the folks at the various Chili’s went out of their way to get me to the right place — which was not even one of their restaurants! (Angels #3)

Overhearing my plight, Don Rodgers, who was also a guest for the Foundation dinner, came over with two $50 bills and insisted that I take them so that I would not be traveling without cash. (Angel #4) I had not even thought of that!

When I finally did reach TGI Friday’s in Concourse B and shared my situation, they called a manager who happily informed me THEY HAD FOUND MY WALLET! I asked her to please open and check my credit cards, and amazingly, every one was there. What a HUGE relief!

The best part of the story, though, was when I returned yesterday through Atlanta and immediately went to the restaurant to get my wallet. I asked if they knew WHO had found it and could I talk to them. With a shy smile, out came Elaine Echols, a darling bus person at the restaurant. (MAJOR Angel #4) I gave her a huge hug, thanked her over and over, and then gave her a small reward. I told her I would be bringing her a copy of my book, “The Simple Truths of Service Inspired by Johnny the Bagger®”, when I came through Atlanta next week because she had truly been a “Johnny” in my life. When I told her I was going to write this story on my blog, she even wanted me to use her full name! 😉 Thank you, Elaine, for being so honest, and thank you, TGI Friday’s, for hiring such good people.

The moral of this experience is that there are MANY GOOD PEOPLE IN THIS WORLD. We so often hear only the bad stories that we become cynical and jaded. The rest of that day I shared this story with everyone I met, including all the Delta Airline personnel, and every single person I shared it with left with a huge smile. We all need to CELEBRATE goodness in this world.

What are your service angel stories?

I have been thinking a lot about heroes these past few days. Yesterday I spoke to the Veteran’s Health Administration in San Antonio, Texas. Their mission is to take care of our heroes, those men and women who have served their country in the armed forces. It was a privilege to speak to these dedicated servants and to encourage them to connect every day with the deepest purpose of their work – to make these heroes’ lives better through concern for their health and wellbeing. I shared with them that my father, grandfather, and husband all served in the military, so I have been the personal recipient of their caring for my loved ones. They are heroes caring for heroes!

Barbara at the Alamo

Then, I spent an afternoon at the Alamo, the legendary epitome of sacrifice for one’s country and beliefs. In 1836, fewer than 200 Texans and Tejanos held out for 13 days against Santa Anna’s army of several thousands. Legend holds that on the 8th day of the siege, with the possibility of additional help fading, Colonel Travis drew a line on the ground and asked any man wiling to stay and fight to step over –all except one did. As the defenders saw it, the Alamo was the key to the defense of Texas, and they were ready to give their lives rather than surrender to General Santa Anna. People worldwide continue to remember the Alamo as a heroic struggle against overwhelming odds—a place where men made the ultimate sacrifice for freedom. Of course this emotional experience brought so poignantly to my mind the sacrifices being made daily by our heroes in Iraq and Afghanistan.

Barbara and Mary Sue in Cinderella's carriage in San Antonio

Finally, I had the joy of spending an evening with one of my personal heroes, Mary Sue Koontz Nelson. She is the most beautiful, lively, delightful, smart, talented and FUN person I know! At age 78, this is her comment when I asked permission to use her age:

“Oh Baby..it’s 79 in October and I IS STILL FEELIN’ FINE!!!
Could care less about age….AGE PLACES LIMITS–and I don’t want ANY limits..Never have..never will. If I want to go on a midnight cruise with a young man or even Bungee jump, I WILL. NO LIMITS EVER!!!!!”

The darling and delightful, unabashed Mary Sue in the chef's coat at Biga's on the Bay!

All the guys at La Margarita!

You can see the results of our “adventures in San Antonio” in the pictures; however, Mary Sue’s precious comment tells you exactly WHY she is one of my heroes! Let age never take our spirit away.

Who are YOUR heroes?