JESSICA'S CARVING
Each year just before convention week, we begin to receive all the items that are donated by local businesses and individuals. Gift Certificates for food, drinks, and accommodations, special gift baskets made lovingly by some very special individuals, customized "Caboholic" goodies, and all sorts of other stuff.
Of all the donations we receive each year, there's always been that one special item that in itself may not have much monetary value, but it's so very precious because of the story behind it. It is not planned, it just happens.
Last year, it was that old cardboard sign that read "Keep Calm - Cabo is Strong". Just a sign made with scrap material ... but what that sign meant to many of us was Priceless!
This year, less than 10 days before the convention, I wondered what that item would be this year. On the night of Jan 27th, I received a message and a couple of pictures of an item that was being donated. Yes, I felt it - we have that special item for this year's auction! Scroll down for the story ....
Of all the donations we receive each year, there's always been that one special item that in itself may not have much monetary value, but it's so very precious because of the story behind it. It is not planned, it just happens.
Last year, it was that old cardboard sign that read "Keep Calm - Cabo is Strong". Just a sign made with scrap material ... but what that sign meant to many of us was Priceless!
This year, less than 10 days before the convention, I wondered what that item would be this year. On the night of Jan 27th, I received a message and a couple of pictures of an item that was being donated. Yes, I felt it - we have that special item for this year's auction! Scroll down for the story ....
How it started ....
About two months ago, Jessica sent me a message and was so excited to share an idea she had to do a hand carved piece made especially for the convention auction. She shared with me her desire to do something to give back to the place that gave her so much while she lived here. Now being the creative, free spirited, generous, giving person that she is, Jessica does not have a pile of money to contribute, but she has talent and enough of it to contribute a wonderful donation! We discussed what the carving should have in it and visualized, it was set!
In mid January, Jessica sent me a message to let me know that her hands and arms were injured from working on multiple wood carvings and she could barely move them. A possible pinched nerve ... who knows? I could tell Jessica was sincerely saddened that she could not do the project we had spoke of and reassured her that it could be done at any time in the future and encouraged to take a much needed rest from carving as to not permanently damage her hands and arms. She said she would, but I had my doubts.
Here it was 10 days before the convention and I get another message ...
"Hi Maddie! So I've been feeling better, improving every day, and thought I'd start the carving and see how much I could get done. But now I don't know if I'm too late... I'm sending a pic of where it's at. Still very rough, and the lettering still needs to be carved out, but the big parts are all defined. I could get it done pretty quickly. Try to picture it cleaned up, smoothed out, stained and framed. Let me know if I'm too late or still good."
The tears did well up in my eyes as I read the message and looked at the pictures of the carving she had already started. Here is this beautiful young woman who's desire to give is overwhelming. I know for a fact that her hands are not yet ready to be working again, yet she's doing it. I know the feeling ... it's an internal desire that strengthens you and pushes through all obstacles to get something done ... not because you have to, not because you're being paid to do it, and not because you owe anyone anything .... it's just something you feel you gotta do. Okay, enough of the mushiness. We have that special priceless item!
Jessica will be working on the carving up to and possibly a little after the actual auction. Photos of it's progress will be uploaded here and also on Jessica's Facebook page. Bids on the carving may be made by proxy. The finished project will be shipped or somehow "muled" to the winning bidder.
About two months ago, Jessica sent me a message and was so excited to share an idea she had to do a hand carved piece made especially for the convention auction. She shared with me her desire to do something to give back to the place that gave her so much while she lived here. Now being the creative, free spirited, generous, giving person that she is, Jessica does not have a pile of money to contribute, but she has talent and enough of it to contribute a wonderful donation! We discussed what the carving should have in it and visualized, it was set!
In mid January, Jessica sent me a message to let me know that her hands and arms were injured from working on multiple wood carvings and she could barely move them. A possible pinched nerve ... who knows? I could tell Jessica was sincerely saddened that she could not do the project we had spoke of and reassured her that it could be done at any time in the future and encouraged to take a much needed rest from carving as to not permanently damage her hands and arms. She said she would, but I had my doubts.
Here it was 10 days before the convention and I get another message ...
"Hi Maddie! So I've been feeling better, improving every day, and thought I'd start the carving and see how much I could get done. But now I don't know if I'm too late... I'm sending a pic of where it's at. Still very rough, and the lettering still needs to be carved out, but the big parts are all defined. I could get it done pretty quickly. Try to picture it cleaned up, smoothed out, stained and framed. Let me know if I'm too late or still good."
The tears did well up in my eyes as I read the message and looked at the pictures of the carving she had already started. Here is this beautiful young woman who's desire to give is overwhelming. I know for a fact that her hands are not yet ready to be working again, yet she's doing it. I know the feeling ... it's an internal desire that strengthens you and pushes through all obstacles to get something done ... not because you have to, not because you're being paid to do it, and not because you owe anyone anything .... it's just something you feel you gotta do. Okay, enough of the mushiness. We have that special priceless item!
Jessica will be working on the carving up to and possibly a little after the actual auction. Photos of it's progress will be uploaded here and also on Jessica's Facebook page. Bids on the carving may be made by proxy. The finished project will be shipped or somehow "muled" to the winning bidder.