No matter how much you try to prepare, there is always something that we did not expect.
We started the discussion with Kaiser about three months ago. We all agree to have a ground breaking ceremony.
The day was upon us so fast that it came and went in a blur.
The first problem was how to pay for it. Tony our builder from TBI generously provided us with many things. From the platform that we stand on to the big screen were all donated by him. He also provided us with all the hard hats, shuffles, tent, food, doves, Susie and many helpers for set up and takes down. He even prepares the ground so that people can easily dig into the soil. Kaiser provided us with the sound system, chairs, balloons, security and Melissa who coordinate with us and TBI.
Anne Marie was the go between among all three entities. She worked tirelessly. Between her Ann and April, we got a keepsake of Belgium chocolate with a pot of Sunflower on top of it.
Then comes the logistics. Who is going to be our speakers, who speak first follow by whom? We then have to decide who will be doing the “digging”. There are so many people who have help that we find it impossible to ask every one to dig. I would love for many whom we left out to join us. At the end, we just have to say enough is enough. I want to apologize to all those who got left out.
Once we decided who to invite to dig, we than have to decide who dig together. I was the one who came up with the idea that two board member to dig with six invited guests.
With all these going on, we need help to serve all the food and man the merchandise table. Cindy, Kandace, Jeanette, Joanne and her friend were gracious enough to help.
Activities started two days before the actual ground breaking. Kaiser help arranged for me to be interview by a columnist who wrote a wonderful column about me and the JW House. We also were written up in the neighborhood news paper. Finally, I was interviewed by the Kaiser internal reporter.
Finally, the big day came. We were pleasantly surprised by the presence to a number of Santa Clara City council members. The Mayor was there as were the State Assembly Women.
We were given citation from the State Assembly and a 15000 dollar award was presented to us by the Mission City Foundation.
Many friends and supporter came. The Optimist came as well as Tad from the Kiwanis. I had a good time.
The next day, I received an update letter from Mrs. Knapen. She brought us back to the real meaning of all this. It brought me to think about her speech. Her son was a candle - a candle that leads to the lighting of thousands of more candles. Our job is to keep lighting more candles so that this dream of sharing of love become dream for many, that this dream can come true for all.
Link to San Jose Mercury News on an article about me and the JW House
http://www.siliconvalley.com/ci_5564673
Link to some photos I and others took:
http://www.smugmug.com/gallery/2652103#140212316"
Link to Santa Clara Weekly
http://www.santaclaraweekly.com/345.html
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