Last week I came home to two voice mails that were a little disconcerting. There was a slow, gravelly voice that said, “My name is Wayne Williams. Call me back.” And he left his number. Since I did not know any Wayne Williams and because the voice did not sound like one of my usual clients, I was a bit reluctant to return the call.
The next day the phone rang, I immediately answered it – and it was Wayne Williams. He told me that he is 99 ½ years old and lives alone in Missouri. Somewhere he had received a copy of my book, “The Simple Truths of Appreciation – How Each of Us Can Choose to Make a Difference.” He said he wanted to order eight copies of the book to give to people…. “so that he could make a difference in the time he had left.”
I was so very touched (and to think I was not going to return his call) that when I sent the package with all the books signed, I included a copy of another of my books titled, “Priceless Gifts- Using What God’s Given You to Bless Others.” I signed it to him and told him it was an early birthday present.
The next week I got a lovely note from him thanking me for the book. This is what his card says: “98 Years Feeling Good and on a Roll May 21, 1920.” (He later told me the card was a year old! 😉
The quote on the bottom reads, “When we depart this world all that really matters is not how much money we have made or the possessions we have. What matters are the lives we have touched, the love we have shown, and the memories we have made. “ Uncle Wayne
Then it lists his email address, his office number, his cell phone, and he even has a YouTube channel!
Oh, my goodness, what an AMAZING role model he is to all of us! In the meantime we have emailed back and forth and shared devotions and articles that are meaningful to us. He shared that his wife died four years ago and they were just 4 days short of being married 72 years! I shared with him that my Dad’s name was Wayne and he died at age 62 when I was just 28 years old, so that name is very dear to me. And my very favorite uncle was also “Uncle Wayne,” so I don’t think this connection was by chance.
Uncle Wayne has already brought so much joy to my life, and he has assured me that any time he is traveling near Florida, I will meet him in person. The dearest thing of all was that he recently wrote:
“I am excited that our paths have crossed. I told you that in the time I have left, I want to make a difference. One of the ways is for me to order more of your books and scatter them out to selected people. The messages I see in your books are life changing and will make a difference.”
Then he went on to tell me that his children are going to have a 100th birthday party for him, and I AM INVITED! And if at all possible, I WILL be there.
Just yesterday Uncle Wayne called to order eight more books so that he could keep on making a difference. We just never know how our words and our actions can create a ripple of kindness and caring that truly DOES make a difference in this hurting world. I am so grateful for my meeting with Uncle Wayne!
To learn more about Barbara’s work, go to www.barbaraglanz.com
