I headed out to the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston, to attend a classy event for the Big Sister Association of Greater Boston. It was a beautiful event sponsored by many local organizations, such as Partners Healthcare, TJX, Blue Cross Blue Shield, State Street, Fidelity, Liberty Mutual, Citizen’s Bank, Tufts Health Plan, and supported by The Boston Foundation and United Way.
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My friend Ana, who has a pet sitting business (contact me if you need such services in the Boston area!), was kind enough to come with me, and we had a great time!
During the cocktail hour I had the opportunity to chat with many interesting people. It felt great being out and mingling with such wonderful people. I even got to speak to some of the Big and Little sisters that are part of the program, and they were just lovely. They were so positive, and the littles seemed so grown up! They appear to have as busy schedules as I do! And then… the music started, and we were in the middle of a bona-fide flash mob! Take a look:
After cocktails, we moved onto the dining hall and had a delicious dinner while we watched a few of the presenters do their thing. The president and chair of Big Sister managed to do a bidding-style fund raiser that accumulated $75,000 ON THE SPOT. It was very impressive! Even *I* got in the spirit and pitched in!
I must say the highlights of the night where a speech from the heart by Mr. Wayne Ashley, the father of 5 young ladies who all have Big Sisters. His story is one that is not uncommon in the Boston area: widowed father in need of help to raise his bright daughters. I have seen professionals perform poorly in comparison to Mr. Ashley’s heartfelt, moving and, yes, funny account of his family situation.
A close second was the account of Olympian Kayla Harrison, who shared with us the story of her darkest hours and how she determined to quit judo altogether, only to pick it back up and wind up winning a gold medal at the 2012 London Olympic Games all due to a valuable mentor who listened to her and guided her through the most difficult times of her life.
At the end of the night I saw our Martha Coakley, Attorney General of the state of Massachusetts, and her husband, Tom, waiting for their parking to get validated. I was going to say hi and keep moving, but Martha made me feel like my salutation was welcome, so I lingered. I was more excited than I care to admit. I was completely star struck, and I am sure I said so many things she has heard many times before. I explained how I just became a US Citizen, and I would have voted for her for sure, and how she met my husband when he was in 8th grade at some school outreach event, and how I was so very excited to meet her. I told her Thank You for everything you do for us.
I must say I was surprised at her warmth and openness. She kept complete eye contact with me (she has the most beautiful and hypnotizing blue eyes I have ever seen), and she commented on every single thing I threw at her. Congratulations on becoming a citizen, how sometimes Americans take that valuable right (to vote) for granted, what was my husband’s name? She must have been the DA and doing a school function when they met. She loves what she does and that is why she does it (in answer to my thanks).
She was also gracious enough to take a picture with me. She was so welcoming and warm. I cannot say enough good things about “Martta Cocklee” (as I like to call her in my Spanish accent).
I also gave her the honor of taking my very last business card, and I told her as much. She said she would cherish it 🙂
That was my incredible night at the museum. What a great cause, what a great way to spend a few hours on a Saturday night.
Hope you are all having a great weekend!
ina