At the same time, my Dad had been diagnosed with a debilitating disease called Progressive Supra Nuclear Palsy. It’s a Parkinson-like or Lou Gerig-like disease. He was getting progressively worse and my Mother was struggling to care for him, but totally committed to keeping him at home rather than placing him in a nursing facility. I had made the trip home numerous times to take him to the doctor or hospital and make arrangements for Home Health Care and things such as hospital beds, commodes, ramps, wheelchairs, etc. I was frustrated in that I simply could not solve all of the problems and make things better.

About the third day of the leadership program, we were given an assignment of some sort. I don’t really remember the assignment, but I ended up writing letters to each my Mom and my Dad that evening. I told my Dad how much I admired him and everything that I had learned from him. Unbeknownst to me, I was really letting go.

The next day in class, the instructor was debriefing what we had done the night before. I shared that I had written these letters. She said, “You didn’t mail them, did you?” Well, of course, I had. The instructor suggested that when you write that kind of letter, you might want to let it sit for a few days before you mail it. But, as grace, God or somebody would have it, I had mailed the letters. A week or so later, my Dad passed away.

As I look back, I’m pretty sure “the touch of grace” was in action. It was somewhat of a miracle that I won the free conference and that I mailed the letters without thinking twice about whether or not to mail them. I had been asking for a way to help and I believe all of these events were my answer. To this day, my Mom keeps those letters and reminds me of how much it meant to my Dad.

Just last week, I experienced another little “touch of Grace” while Keith and I were looking at Hilton Head. We entered this one condo and were very impressed with the view and the layout of the condo. As we were looking around, Keith said, “Jo Anne, check out the magnet on the refrigerator.” I looked at the refrigerator to see only one magnet on the side and it was from Alma College. How bizarre! Many of you may not even know of Alma College, but both Keith and I graduated from there. What are the chances that we’d be looking a condo that belonged to someone who also had some connection to Alma College? We decided that it’s probably not the condo for us, however, the thought still lingers in my mind that maybe it was some kind of a sign.

I would encourage you to be open to things around you. I think you’ll be amazed at what is out there in the universe and what is right in front of you. When I was trying to decide what to do after leaving 28 years in banking, I was walking one morning and thinking about it when I came upon someone’s mailbox with a sign on it that said, “Do what you love. Love what you do”. There was the answer, right in front of me. So, pay attention. You never know what might appear.