[Applause] you know I thought I’d start our time
you know I thought I’d start our time
you know I thought I’d start our time off today with a bit of a story for you
off today with a bit of a story for you
off today with a bit of a story for you a story about a boy this little boy was
a story about a boy this little boy was
a story about a boy this little boy was found in a motel unit back in the early
found in a motel unit back in the early
found in a motel unit back in the early 1960s on a cold winter’s day
1960s on a cold winter’s day
1960s on a cold winter’s day now the motel unit door was cracked open
now the motel unit door was cracked open
now the motel unit door was cracked open and the sound of a baby crying was what
and the sound of a baby crying was what
and the sound of a baby crying was what alerted people to the fact that there
alerted people to the fact that there
alerted people to the fact that there might be a problem in the room and as
might be a problem in the room and as
might be a problem in the room and as the motel staff entered the room they
the motel staff entered the room they
the motel staff entered the room they realized that there were no adults in
realized that there were no adults in
realized that there were no adults in that room there was just the baby laying
that room there was just the baby laying
that room there was just the baby laying on the bed as they looked around the
on the bed as they looked around the
on the bed as they looked around the room a lot of the furniture was knocked
room a lot of the furniture was knocked
room a lot of the furniture was knocked over and there was blood everywhere
over and there was blood everywhere
over and there was blood everywhere one of the motel staff grabbed a blanket
one of the motel staff grabbed a blanket
one of the motel staff grabbed a blanket and he he wrapped that baby up and he
and he he wrapped that baby up and he
and he he wrapped that baby up and he took him over to the motel office where
took him over to the motel office where
took him over to the motel office where they phoned the police at the end of the
they phoned the police at the end of the
they phoned the police at the end of the day that child was taken into custody by
day that child was taken into custody by
day that child was taken into custody by social services and within a matter of a
social services and within a matter of a
social services and within a matter of a few weeks he was placed another foster
few weeks he was placed another foster
few weeks he was placed another foster care system now I believe that there are
care system now I believe that there are
care system now I believe that there are thousands of amazing foster families out
thousands of amazing foster families out
thousands of amazing foster families out there but you know not every fostering
there but you know not every fostering
there but you know not every fostering situation works out well for the
situation works out well for the
situation works out well for the children involved in fact oftentimes
children involved in fact oftentimes
children involved in fact oftentimes children will move in and out of care
children will move in and out of care
children will move in and out of care and that’s what happened for this little
and that’s what happened for this little
and that’s what happened for this little boy he went from foster home to foster
boy he went from foster home to foster
boy he went from foster home to foster home to foster home and tell by the time
home to foster home and tell by the time
home to foster home and tell by the time he was five years old he’d been through
he was five years old he’d been through
he was five years old he’d been through 13 different foster homes now you might
13 different foster homes now you might
13 different foster homes now you might be saying to me Tom how do you know so
be saying to me Tom how do you know so
be saying to me Tom how do you know so much about this little guy story and
much about this little guy story and
much about this little guy story and I’ll tell you the reason I know so much
I’ll tell you the reason I know so much
I’ll tell you the reason I know so much about this handsome little devil story
about this handsome little devil story
about this handsome little devil story is because it’s my story I’m sharing my
is because it’s my story I’m sharing my
is because it’s my story I’m sharing my story with you what you may not know
story with you what you may not know
story with you what you may not know though is that there are hundreds of
though is that there are hundreds of
though is that there are hundreds of thousands of foster children across
thousands of foster children across
thousands of foster children across North America today what you may not
North America today what you may not
North America today what you may not know about those children is that high
know about those children is that high
know about those children is that high percentages of those foster children
percentages of those foster children
percentages of those foster children never complete high school many of them
never complete high school many of them
never complete high school many of them struggle with drug and alcohol and
struggle with drug and alcohol and
struggle with drug and alcohol and mental health issues most of them at one
mental health issues most of them at one
mental health issues most of them at one time or another become homeless or
time or another become homeless or
time or another become homeless or incarcerated and many of them by the
incarcerated and many of them by the
incarcerated and many of them by the time their 30th birthday
time their 30th birthday
time their 30th birthday rolls around have already committed
rolls around have already committed
rolls around have already committed suicide so by the time I get this to you
suicide so by the time I get this to you
suicide so by the time I get this to you and as I share my story with you what I
and as I share my story with you what I
and as I share my story with you what I want you to know is that I am NOT the
want you to know is that I am NOT the
want you to know is that I am NOT the author of my own miracle that I’m
author of my own miracle that I’m
author of my own miracle that I’m standing here with you today in fact I
standing here with you today in fact I
standing here with you today in fact I would like to share with you the two
would like to share with you the two
would like to share with you the two people who I believe are the authors of
people who I believe are the authors of
people who I believe are the authors of my miracle of being with you here today
my miracle of being with you here today
my miracle of being with you here today meet Geminid weena Watson a retired
meet Geminid weena Watson a retired
meet Geminid weena Watson a retired preacher and a retired teacher both in
preacher and a retired teacher both in
preacher and a retired teacher both in their 60s empty-nesters who reach back
their 60s empty-nesters who reach back
their 60s empty-nesters who reach back across two generations to bring a
across two generations to bring a
across two generations to bring a traumatized five-year-old boy into their
traumatized five-year-old boy into their
traumatized five-year-old boy into their home and I have to tell you this was a
home and I have to tell you this was a
home and I have to tell you this was a real monumental effort that these two
real monumental effort that these two
real monumental effort that these two made because in actual fact I was not a
made because in actual fact I was not a
made because in actual fact I was not a very lovable child at that time I hardly
very lovable child at that time I hardly
very lovable child at that time I hardly knew how to speak I would if I wanted
knew how to speak I would if I wanted
knew how to speak I would if I wanted something I would point and I would
something I would point and I would
something I would point and I would grunt and if I didn’t want something I
grunt and if I didn’t want something I
grunt and if I didn’t want something I would actually bare my teeth and growl
would actually bare my teeth and growl
would actually bare my teeth and growl like an animal at night I would pee my
like an animal at night I would pee my
like an animal at night I would pee my bed and in the daytime I would soil my
bed and in the daytime I would soil my
bed and in the daytime I would soil my pants and if I would go missing in the
pants and if I would go missing in the
pants and if I would go missing in the house which was quite regularly they
house which was quite regularly they
house which was quite regularly they would find me in a closet hiding like a
would find me in a closet hiding like a
would find me in a closet hiding like a frightened animal now if I wasn’t in
frightened animal now if I wasn’t in
frightened animal now if I wasn’t in school at with with my classmates I
school at with with my classmates I
school at with with my classmates I would spend time with the preacher on
would spend time with the preacher on
would spend time with the preacher on the farm
the farm
the farm mr. Watson was a wise old Irishman and
mr. Watson was a wise old Irishman and
mr. Watson was a wise old Irishman and he had gone through the Second World War
he had gone through the Second World War
he had gone through the Second World War and he demanded discipline and honesty
and he demanded discipline and honesty
and he demanded discipline and honesty and hard work from me I spent thousands
and hard work from me I spent thousands
and hard work from me I spent thousands and thousands of hours working alongside
and thousands of hours working alongside
and thousands of hours working alongside that wise old mentor in the evening I
that wise old mentor in the evening I
that wise old mentor in the evening I would spend time with mrs. Watson in my
would spend time with mrs. Watson in my
would spend time with mrs. Watson in my bedroom and she took a little boy who
bedroom and she took a little boy who
bedroom and she took a little boy who didn’t know his ABCs or as one two
didn’t know his ABCs or as one two
didn’t know his ABCs or as one two threes like everybody else did and
threes like everybody else did and
threes like everybody else did and helped him learn and maybe more
helped him learn and maybe more
helped him learn and maybe more importantly with her love and caring she
importantly with her love and caring she
importantly with her love and caring she helped him learn to love to learn now
helped him learn to love to learn now
helped him learn to love to learn now you know I think at times in our lives
you know I think at times in our lives
you know I think at times in our lives we all kind of get into these things
we all kind of get into these things
we all kind of get into these things where we get over our heads and I think
where we get over our heads and I think
where we get over our heads and I think that happened for the Watsons actually I
that happened for the Watsons actually I
that happened for the Watsons actually I think they felt at one point when they
think they felt at one point when they
think they felt at one point when they after they brought me into their home
after they brought me into their home
after they brought me into their home that they were over their heads and and
that they were over their heads and and
that they were over their heads and and frankly I was a bit of a
frankly I was a bit of a
frankly I was a bit of a trainwreck because at school I was a
trainwreck because at school I was a
trainwreck because at school I was a constant distraction in the classroom I
constant distraction in the classroom I
constant distraction in the classroom I would be caught weekly stealing from
would be caught weekly stealing from
would be caught weekly stealing from teachers purses or stealing from
teachers purses or stealing from
teachers purses or stealing from backpacks of other kids on the
backpacks of other kids on the
backpacks of other kids on the playground I was the I was the sole
playground I was the I was the sole
playground I was the I was the sole instigator of every fight on the
instigator of every fight on the
instigator of every fight on the playground daily I spent more time in
playground daily I spent more time in
playground daily I spent more time in the principal’s office than I ever ever
the principal’s office than I ever ever
the principal’s office than I ever ever spent in the classroom and at home it
spent in the classroom and at home it
spent in the classroom and at home it was the same kind of thing the Watsons
was the same kind of thing the Watsons
was the same kind of thing the Watsons never knew what was going to go on and I
never knew what was going to go on and I
never knew what was going to go on and I think it all came to a head at one point
think it all came to a head at one point
think it all came to a head at one point one summer when mr. Watson had relatives
one summer when mr. Watson had relatives
one summer when mr. Watson had relatives coming out from Toronto to visit him in
coming out from Toronto to visit him in
coming out from Toronto to visit him in Alberta on the farm and they were
Alberta on the farm and they were
Alberta on the farm and they were bringing a young man named Steven with
bringing a young man named Steven with
bringing a young man named Steven with them now Steven was my age but I’m sure
them now Steven was my age but I’m sure
them now Steven was my age but I’m sure Steven had never been out of the city he
Steven had never been out of the city he
Steven had never been out of the city he didn’t know that eggs came out of
didn’t know that eggs came out of
didn’t know that eggs came out of chickens or milk came out of milk cows
chickens or milk came out of milk cows
chickens or milk came out of milk cows and so one night after supper I said to
and so one night after supper I said to
and so one night after supper I said to Steven Steven would you like to Malka
Steven Steven would you like to Malka
Steven Steven would you like to Malka cow with me tomorrow and he was so so
cow with me tomorrow and he was so so
cow with me tomorrow and he was so so excited about that so the next morning I
excited about that so the next morning I
excited about that so the next morning I got him up and I got him out to the barn
got him up and I got him out to the barn
got him up and I got him out to the barn and I sat him down in the milk stool and
and I sat him down in the milk stool and
and I sat him down in the milk stool and I said Steven I’m going to get the milk
I said Steven I’m going to get the milk
I said Steven I’m going to get the milk cow now and off I went
cow now and off I went
cow now and off I went and a few minutes later I came back and
and a few minutes later I came back and
and a few minutes later I came back and I had our 3,000 pound bull in tow and I
I had our 3,000 pound bull in tow and I
I had our 3,000 pound bull in tow and I tied that bull up and I got Steven to
tied that bull up and I got Steven to
tied that bull up and I got Steven to start milking the bull and as I leaned
start milking the bull and as I leaned
start milking the bull and as I leaned against the fence watching Steven
against the fence watching Steven
against the fence watching Steven chuckling to myself
chuckling to myself
chuckling to myself all of a sudden mr. Wattson walked in
all of a sudden mr. Wattson walked in
all of a sudden mr. Wattson walked in unannounced and his eyes almost bulged
unannounced and his eyes almost bulged
unannounced and his eyes almost bulged out of his head and I think I almost
out of his head and I think I almost
out of his head and I think I almost gave him a heart attack
gave him a heart attack
gave him a heart attack and he’s trying to talk to Steven about
and he’s trying to talk to Steven about
and he’s trying to talk to Steven about what’s going on and Steven doesn’t
what’s going on and Steven doesn’t
what’s going on and Steven doesn’t understand the difference between a milk
understand the difference between a milk
understand the difference between a milk cow and a bull and so finally mr.
cow and a bull and so finally mr.
cow and a bull and so finally mr. Wattson has to get down and he says to
Wattson has to get down and he says to
Wattson has to get down and he says to steven very bluntly steven son you have
steven very bluntly steven son you have
steven very bluntly steven son you have the penis in your hand it’s a bull it’s
the penis in your hand it’s a bull it’s
the penis in your hand it’s a bull it’s a penis son and like a scene out of
a penis son and like a scene out of
a penis son and like a scene out of Macaulay Culkin and home alone Steven
Macaulay Culkin and home alone Steven
Macaulay Culkin and home alone Steven realizes what’s going on and he screams
realizes what’s going on and he screams
realizes what’s going on and he screams and he jumps out that milks doing off
and he jumps out that milks doing off
and he jumps out that milks doing off goes through the barn and out to the
goes through the barn and out to the
goes through the barn and out to the house to wash his hands and I think at
house to wash his hands and I think at
house to wash his hands and I think at that point in time the Watsons realized
that point in time the Watsons realized
that point in time the Watsons realized they were in over their heads so what
they were in over their heads so what
they were in over their heads so what they decided to do was form a village
they decided to do was form a village
they decided to do was form a village around me and that’s really what they
around me and that’s really what they
around me and that’s really what they needed was more people to take an
needed was more people to take an
needed was more people to take an interest in me they they reached out to
interest in me they they reached out to
interest in me they they reached out to difference makers like their son Dale
difference makers like their son Dale
difference makers like their son Dale who I looked up to and Dale is still a
who I looked up to and Dale is still a
who I looked up to and Dale is still a big part of my life now and they reached
big part of my life now and they reached
big part of my life now and they reached out to their daughter Fay who was like a
out to their daughter Fay who was like a
out to their daughter Fay who was like a second mother to me and they reached out
second mother to me and they reached out
second mother to me and they reached out to teachers and coaches and they reached
to teachers and coaches and they reached
to teachers and coaches and they reached out to other community families who all
out to other community families who all
out to other community families who all surrounded me they made an army around
surrounded me they made an army around
surrounded me they made an army around me and slowly but surely I started to
me and slowly but surely I started to
me and slowly but surely I started to show like glimmers of hope but the
show like glimmers of hope but the
show like glimmers of hope but the reality of it was is that I was still
reality of it was is that I was still
reality of it was is that I was still like crazy I mean it’s not like I just
like crazy I mean it’s not like I just
like crazy I mean it’s not like I just changed overnight
changed overnight
changed overnight and so you know when I think about that
and so you know when I think about that
and so you know when I think about that I think that mr. Watson would look at me
I think that mr. Watson would look at me
I think that mr. Watson would look at me and say what are you doing it was like
and say what are you doing it was like
and say what are you doing it was like the time when I was on the playground
the time when I was on the playground
the time when I was on the playground and a little girl in my class pointed
and a little girl in my class pointed
and a little girl in my class pointed fingers at me and she said you’re stinky
fingers at me and she said you’re stinky
fingers at me and she said you’re stinky and later that day in class I took she
and later that day in class I took she
and later that day in class I took she sat in front of me and I took tant and
sat in front of me and I took tant and
sat in front of me and I took tant and her hair at gently and I snipped ten
her hair at gently and I snipped ten
her hair at gently and I snipped ten inches off of it that wasn’t good and
inches off of it that wasn’t good and
inches off of it that wasn’t good and the time that I was in the gymnasium and
the time that I was in the gymnasium and
the time that I was in the gymnasium and I got in a fight and I knocked a young
I got in a fight and I knocked a young
I got in a fight and I knocked a young man’s two teeth out and that wasn’t good
man’s two teeth out and that wasn’t good
man’s two teeth out and that wasn’t good and mr. Watson got a phone call after
and mr. Watson got a phone call after
and mr. Watson got a phone call after that he he had to get in the car and
that he he had to get in the car and
that he he had to get in the car and drive the well-worn path into town and
drive the well-worn path into town and
drive the well-worn path into town and to the principal’s office and he took me
to the principal’s office and he took me
to the principal’s office and he took me home that day and on the way home he
home that day and on the way home he
home that day and on the way home he gave me two bits of advice he said
gave me two bits of advice he said
gave me two bits of advice he said number one anybody who does anything
number one anybody who does anything
number one anybody who does anything great in the world has to like
great in the world has to like
great in the world has to like themselves you don’t like yourself and
themselves you don’t like yourself and
themselves you don’t like yourself and number two you’ll never like yourself
number two you’ll never like yourself
number two you’ll never like yourself until you start doing good things in the
until you start doing good things in the
until you start doing good things in the world you need to choose good you need
world you need to choose good you need
world you need to choose good you need to act on your good and you need to
to act on your good and you need to
to act on your good and you need to actually enjoy the good that you do
actually enjoy the good that you do
actually enjoy the good that you do people around you will enjoy you you’ll
people around you will enjoy you you’ll
people around you will enjoy you you’ll enjoy yourself you’ll be good you need
enjoy yourself you’ll be good you need
enjoy yourself you’ll be good you need to be good and love yourself to be great
to be good and love yourself to be great
to be good and love yourself to be great that’s stuck with me for some reason
that’s stuck with me for some reason
that’s stuck with me for some reason that day
that day
that day and so when I think about that I think
and so when I think about that I think
and so when I think about that I think about the Watsons what did they do for
about the Watsons what did they do for
about the Watsons what did they do for you in society what did they do for you
you in society what did they do for you
you in society what did they do for you well I could have been remember I told
well I could have been remember I told
well I could have been remember I told you earlier about foster children
you earlier about foster children
you earlier about foster children struggling with drugs and alcohol and
struggling with drugs and alcohol and
struggling with drugs and alcohol and incarceration I could have been that
incarceration I could have been that
incarceration I could have been that alcoholic last night who drove home and
alcoholic last night who drove home and
alcoholic last night who drove home and killed somebody in your family I could
killed somebody in your family I could
killed somebody in your family I could be that drug dealer living out in your
be that drug dealer living out in your
be that drug dealer living out in your neighborhoods feeding your kids drugs I
neighborhoods feeding your kids drugs I
neighborhoods feeding your kids drugs I could be the thief that stole your stuff
could be the thief that stole your stuff
could be the thief that stole your stuff out of your house or stole your car last
out of your house or stole your car last
out of your house or stole your car last night but instead what I am is what the
night but instead what I am is what the
night but instead what I am is what the Watsons helped create through a miracle
Watsons helped create through a miracle
Watsons helped create through a miracle they took a disheveled little boy and
they took a disheveled little boy and
they took a disheveled little boy and they who was trajectory down to crash
they who was trajectory down to crash
they who was trajectory down to crash and burn and instead they altered that
and burn and instead they altered that
and burn and instead they altered that trajectory to a person who actually can
trajectory to a person who actually can
trajectory to a person who actually can be here with you today functioning well
be here with you today functioning well
be here with you today functioning well you know I read more and more and more
you know I read more and more and more
you know I read more and more and more that we are more connected in society
that we are more connected in society
that we are more connected in society than ever before and yet lonelier and I
than ever before and yet lonelier and I
than ever before and yet lonelier and I believe that because in my life as I
believe that because in my life as I
believe that because in my life as I look back I think about the times that I
look back I think about the times that I
look back I think about the times that I struggled as a young boy and I think
struggled as a young boy and I think
struggled as a young boy and I think about how I’ve struggled in certain
about how I’ve struggled in certain
about how I’ve struggled in certain areas of my life over time and it has
areas of my life over time and it has
areas of my life over time and it has never been a text or a Facebook message
never been a text or a Facebook message
never been a text or a Facebook message that made me feel good about myself it
that made me feel good about myself it
that made me feel good about myself it was that physical relationship of being
was that physical relationship of being
was that physical relationship of being together like we are today being with
together like we are today being with
together like we are today being with somebody seeing them smile hearing their
somebody seeing them smile hearing their
somebody seeing them smile hearing their voice feeling a hug getting a pat that’s
voice feeling a hug getting a pat that’s
voice feeling a hug getting a pat that’s the stuff that makes people feel good
the stuff that makes people feel good
the stuff that makes people feel good it’s not that cheap bandage real
it’s not that cheap bandage real
it’s not that cheap bandage real relationship that social media can be
relationship that social media can be
relationship that social media can be and so I believe that people are
and so I believe that people are
and so I believe that people are lonelier today you know I’ll give you an
lonelier today you know I’ll give you an
lonelier today you know I’ll give you an example of that rich relationship I was
example of that rich relationship I was
example of that rich relationship I was talking about my first wife Darlene was
talking about my first wife Darlene was
talking about my first wife Darlene was struggling with cancer and she had had a
struggling with cancer and she had had a
struggling with cancer and she had had a bone marrow transplant and she was doing
bone marrow transplant and she was doing
bone marrow transplant and she was doing fairly well but the doctors in her and I
fairly well but the doctors in her and I
fairly well but the doctors in her and I got together and we decided I should fly
got together and we decided I should fly
got together and we decided I should fly back home and so I did fly home I hadn’t
back home and so I did fly home I hadn’t
back home and so I did fly home I hadn’t been home in months and I was going to
been home in months and I was going to
been home in months and I was going to go back to work and I was gonna get the
go back to work and I was gonna get the
go back to work and I was gonna get the house ready so if Darlene could come
house ready so if Darlene could come
house ready so if Darlene could come home I I would be ready for I was home
home I I would be ready for I was home
home I I would be ready for I was home in a few days later a panicked phone
in a few days later a panicked phone
in a few days later a panicked phone call came from our
call came from our
call came from our during what he said was Darlene’s taking
during what he said was Darlene’s taking
during what he said was Darlene’s taking a turn for the worse than she’s going to
a turn for the worse than she’s going to
a turn for the worse than she’s going to die I raced through the airport and I’m
die I raced through the airport and I’m
die I raced through the airport and I’m sitting in the plane and I’m on a window
sitting in the plane and I’m on a window
sitting in the plane and I’m on a window seat and there’s a empty seat beside me
seat and there’s a empty seat beside me
seat and there’s a empty seat beside me and I’m praying God please don’t let
and I’m praying God please don’t let
and I’m praying God please don’t let somebody sit here that wants to talk
somebody sit here that wants to talk
somebody sit here that wants to talk because I do not want to talk and when
because I do not want to talk and when
because I do not want to talk and when you know it the loveliest grandma ever
you know it the loveliest grandma ever
you know it the loveliest grandma ever sat beside me and she is heading from
sat beside me and she is heading from
sat beside me and she is heading from fort st. John to Vancouver to see her
fort st. John to Vancouver to see her
fort st. John to Vancouver to see her grandkids who she hasn’t seen for a
grandkids who she hasn’t seen for a
grandkids who she hasn’t seen for a while she’s very excited and she’s
while she’s very excited and she’s
while she’s very excited and she’s trying to tell me and I’m trying to
trying to tell me and I’m trying to
trying to tell me and I’m trying to ignore her and she would tap me on the
ignore her and she would tap me on the
ignore her and she would tap me on the leg and I’d look and then I try to
leg and I’d look and then I try to
leg and I’d look and then I try to ignore and she tapped me getting finally
ignore and she tapped me getting finally
ignore and she tapped me getting finally I said to her ma’am I do not want to be
I said to her ma’am I do not want to be
I said to her ma’am I do not want to be rude to you today but my wife is dying
rude to you today but my wife is dying
rude to you today but my wife is dying and that’s why I’m going to Vancouver
and that’s why I’m going to Vancouver
and that’s why I’m going to Vancouver and I don’t feel like talking and I
and I don’t feel like talking and I
and I don’t feel like talking and I turned with tears streaming down my eyes
turned with tears streaming down my eyes
turned with tears streaming down my eyes looked out the window and you know a
looked out the window and you know a
looked out the window and you know a miracle moment happened in a few seconds
miracle moment happened in a few seconds
miracle moment happened in a few seconds this warm little grab my hand slid into
this warm little grab my hand slid into
this warm little grab my hand slid into my hand and she held my hand from fort
my hand and she held my hand from fort
my hand and she held my hand from fort st. John to Vancouver there was some
st. John to Vancouver there was some
st. John to Vancouver there was some soothing energy that came through her
soothing energy that came through her
soothing energy that came through her hand into me it was like she was holding
hand into me it was like she was holding
hand into me it was like she was holding my broken heart there we were two
my broken heart there we were two
my broken heart there we were two strangers on a plane me trying to get to
strangers on a plane me trying to get to
strangers on a plane me trying to get to my wife to help her pass from this life
my wife to help her pass from this life
my wife to help her pass from this life to the next and this little Graham I
to the next and this little Graham I
to the next and this little Graham I helping prepare me to do that you know
helping prepare me to do that you know
helping prepare me to do that you know there’s this boomerang feeling that
there’s this boomerang feeling that
there’s this boomerang feeling that you’d get I think that grandma got that
you’d get I think that grandma got that
you’d get I think that grandma got that that day I’d been rude to her but she
that day I’d been rude to her but she
that day I’d been rude to her but she knew for sure that she was helping me
knew for sure that she was helping me
knew for sure that she was helping me I think the Watsons knew in their last
I think the Watsons knew in their last
I think the Watsons knew in their last days that they had done something
days that they had done something
days that they had done something miraculous with this boy who was just
miraculous with this boy who was just
miraculous with this boy who was just shovel dand now he could be a
shovel dand now he could be a
shovel dand now he could be a functioning member of society I think
functioning member of society I think
functioning member of society I think all of you would be able to remember
all of you would be able to remember
all of you would be able to remember back to things that you’ve done with
back to things that you’ve done with
back to things that you’ve done with families and friends or man even with
families and friends or man even with
families and friends or man even with people you don’t know that made you feel
people you don’t know that made you feel
people you don’t know that made you feel good well you know that’s the boomerang
good well you know that’s the boomerang
good well you know that’s the boomerang effect that’s what it’s about you give
effect that’s what it’s about you give
effect that’s what it’s about you give something and you get something back
something and you get something back
something and you get something back it’s amazing that’s what makes us so
it’s amazing that’s what makes us so
it’s amazing that’s what makes us so special we can give and receive
special we can give and receive
special we can give and receive and you know I ran into a interesting
and you know I ran into a interesting
and you know I ran into a interesting story that I like to share with you my
story that I like to share with you my
story that I like to share with you my wife Cathy and I were we’re getting our
wife Cathy and I were we’re getting our
wife Cathy and I were we’re getting our house painted the last few weeks and an
house painted the last few weeks and an
house painted the last few weeks and an amazing lady came into our lives she’s a
amazing lady came into our lives she’s a
amazing lady came into our lives she’s a painter she her name’s Nicole and she
painter she her name’s Nicole and she
painter she her name’s Nicole and she was explaining to us about this client
was explaining to us about this client
was explaining to us about this client that she had about a year ago his name’s
that she had about a year ago his name’s
that she had about a year ago his name’s Arthur Arthur was on a dialysis machine
Arthur Arthur was on a dialysis machine
Arthur Arthur was on a dialysis machine he needed a kidney transplant and he
he needed a kidney transplant and he
he needed a kidney transplant and he told Nicole all his story and his family
told Nicole all his story and his family
told Nicole all his story and his family told her them their story and Arthur’s
told her them their story and Arthur’s
told her them their story and Arthur’s been struggling to find a donor so his
been struggling to find a donor so his
been struggling to find a donor so his story touched Nicole so much that she
story touched Nicole so much that she
story touched Nicole so much that she went out on her own and she got all the
went out on her own and she got all the
went out on her own and she got all the testing done to see if she might be a
testing done to see if she might be a
testing done to see if she might be a good donor it turns out she was and so
good donor it turns out she was and so
good donor it turns out she was and so Nicole actually donated just a few weeks
Nicole actually donated just a few weeks
Nicole actually donated just a few weeks ago she went through the transplant to
ago she went through the transplant to
ago she went through the transplant to help Arthur now Arthur’s doing well and
help Arthur now Arthur’s doing well and
help Arthur now Arthur’s doing well and Nicole’s doing well and the amazing
Nicole’s doing well and the amazing
Nicole’s doing well and the amazing thing that Nicole has told me since was
thing that Nicole has told me since was
thing that Nicole has told me since was how amazing she felt even when she made
how amazing she felt even when she made
how amazing she felt even when she made the decision to tell Arthur that she was
the decision to tell Arthur that she was
the decision to tell Arthur that she was going to do this for him and after the
going to do this for him and after the
going to do this for him and after the fact she’s told me it’s this boomerang
fact she’s told me it’s this boomerang
fact she’s told me it’s this boomerang effect has just been even more amazing
effect has just been even more amazing
effect has just been even more amazing for her and so the interesting thing as
for her and so the interesting thing as
for her and so the interesting thing as Nicole got a wonderful letter from
Nicole got a wonderful letter from
Nicole got a wonderful letter from Arthur’s family and I’d like to share
Arthur’s family and I’d like to share
Arthur’s family and I’d like to share Nicole
Nicole
Nicole reading that letter to you to you today
reading that letter to you to you today
reading that letter to you to you today my name is Nicole and I’m the one that
my name is Nicole and I’m the one that
my name is Nicole and I’m the one that donated a kidney to Arthur this is a
donated a kidney to Arthur this is a
donated a kidney to Arthur this is a letter that was written to me by Marilyn
letter that was written to me by Marilyn
letter that was written to me by Marilyn Arthur
Arthur
Arthur after the surgery and it means the world
after the surgery and it means the world
after the surgery and it means the world to me
to me
to me darris Nicole there are not words I can
darris Nicole there are not words I can
darris Nicole there are not words I can use to express my gratitude for your
use to express my gratitude for your
use to express my gratitude for your gift to earth they’re in our family it
gift to earth they’re in our family it
gift to earth they’re in our family it was so unexpected a real miracle I thank
was so unexpected a real miracle I thank
was so unexpected a real miracle I thank God that he heard my hearts cry seeing
God that he heard my hearts cry seeing
God that he heard my hearts cry seeing Arthur’s suffer day after day left us so
Arthur’s suffer day after day left us so
Arthur’s suffer day after day left us so broken you are an example to
broken you are an example to
broken you are an example to every person we tell our story that
every person we tell our story that
every person we tell our story that there is kindness of the most generous
there is kindness of the most generous
there is kindness of the most generous and selfless kind your legacy to my
and selfless kind your legacy to my
and selfless kind your legacy to my family will be imprinted in our hearts
family will be imprinted in our hearts
family will be imprinted in our hearts you are beautiful and caring and
you are beautiful and caring and
you are beautiful and caring and courageous I will thank God every day
courageous I will thank God every day
courageous I will thank God every day and pray that God will reward you with
and pray that God will reward you with
and pray that God will reward you with joy and provision we love you Nicola
joy and provision we love you Nicola
joy and provision we love you Nicola love Arthur Morrell and their four
love Arthur Morrell and their four
love Arthur Morrell and their four children this is the gift that I’ve
children this is the gift that I’ve
children this is the gift that I’ve received it’s not amazing that is the
received it’s not amazing that is the
received it’s not amazing that is the boomerang effect right there you know
boomerang effect right there you know
boomerang effect right there you know the amazing thing is I think Nicole is
the amazing thing is I think Nicole is
the amazing thing is I think Nicole is somewhere in this audience today she
somewhere in this audience today she
somewhere in this audience today she Nicole could you stand up I’m not sure
Nicole could you stand up I’m not sure
Nicole could you stand up I’m not sure if you are or not
if you are or not
if you are or not there she is
and so as I leave you today I hope my
and so as I leave you today I hope my story was not a disturbing story
story was not a disturbing story
story was not a disturbing story maybe the bold story might have been but
maybe the bold story might have been but
maybe the bold story might have been but I want you to know that I would not be
I want you to know that I would not be
I want you to know that I would not be here today had it not been for many
here today had it not been for many
here today had it not been for many people who took a chance on me and
people who took a chance on me and
people who took a chance on me and provided a miracle to me and that’s
provided a miracle to me and that’s
provided a miracle to me and that’s really what we all are in this room
really what we all are in this room
really what we all are in this room where miracle makers we can make
where miracle makers we can make
where miracle makers we can make miracles happen for our children we can
miracles happen for our children we can
miracles happen for our children we can make miracle miracles happen for our
make miracle miracles happen for our
make miracle miracles happen for our spouses we can make miracles happen for
spouses we can make miracles happen for
spouses we can make miracles happen for our friends and we can make miracles
our friends and we can make miracles
our friends and we can make miracles happen for strangers I encourage you
happen for strangers I encourage you
happen for strangers I encourage you today that you go out and you spend time
today that you go out and you spend time
today that you go out and you spend time away from this social media thing with
away from this social media thing with
away from this social media thing with your nose planted in it and actually
your nose planted in it and actually
your nose planted in it and actually look at people see people see their need
look at people see people see their need
look at people see people see their need and create memorable moments for them be
and create memorable moments for them be
and create memorable moments for them be a difference maker for them make them
a difference maker for them make them
a difference maker for them make them feel good about themselves because as we
feel good about themselves because as we
feel good about themselves because as we travel down this road that we’re heading
travel down this road that we’re heading
travel down this road that we’re heading in the world we need more people to
in the world we need more people to
in the world we need more people to stand up and make a difference make a
stand up and make a difference make a
stand up and make a difference make a miracle happen for people so that they
miracle happen for people so that they
miracle happen for people so that they like themselves
like themselves
like themselves and they do good for the world and I
and they do good for the world and I
and they do good for the world and I thank you for your time today
thank you for your time today
thank you for your time today [Applause]
”
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