Now, I know my thoughts on Thanksgiving Eve should center on all the wonderful things for which I’m thankful but, I admit, all I can think about is “retail”. I just saw on television that Kohls is opening at 4am on Friday…4 AM!!!! Wow! I do love to shop but THAT is commitment. I’m actually not a Black Friday shopper…I got up early several years ago to experience the festive hustle and bustle of the day and returned home 45 minutes later in tears after witnessing a mob of crazed shoppers literally trampling people in a race for some deal…seriously out of balance.
My enthusiasm for shopping has actually waned since moving to the Santa Barbara area. As perfect as our community is on so many levels, shopping venues are limited. Believe it or not, we don’t have a WalMart (yes, it may not be politically correct, but I am an unashamed WalMart shopper) OR a Target! (I KNOW! I can hear the collective gasp from you all!!) Oh, I suppose it’s for the best in the long run but there are those days when I long for that therapeutic trip to Home Goods 🙂 Well, it was one of those days shortly after we brought Rudy home from the hospital when I wandered into our Tiffany & Co. (to window shop…really!) thrilled to finally be “out and about” with Rudy in tow…I must have been pretty excited to show off our precious one as well because I gave sales manager Chelsea a pretty detailed account of Rudy’s journey when she gushed over how cute he was. Ha She was sweet to show interest in Rudy so I gave her the blog address and off I went.
Fast forward 5 months…”Mom, there’s a man in a suit holding a bag in the front yard and he wants to talk with you” I heard one of the kids yell from the back door. “Rolf will take care of it” I said to myself thinking he was a door-to-door salesman of some kind but a couple of minutes later I hear, “Uh, Trish, there’s someone here to see you”. Confused, I walked to the front door to find a man in a suit holding NOT JUST ANY BAG…a trademark blue TIFFANY bag. I shot a “what are you up to?” look at Rolf but it was clear he had no clue what was going on. Our mysterious visitor quickly identified himself as a Tiffany & Co. associate who stopped by on his way home from work to deliver a gift on behalf of the store!!!! He’s WHO?…from WHERE?…and WHY? I was so excited when (my new BFF) Paul handed me the bag you would have thought I was accepting a Publisher’s Clearing House check from Ed McMahon! Paul added that he and his co-workers had been following RudysBeat and how pleased he was to meet Rudy in the flesh! Equally touching was the note that accompanied the bag…”Dear Trish, You and Rudy left such a great impression on me and the entire staff here at Tiffany & Co. Thank you for sharing your wonderful story with us and we hope that you and Rudy are in good spirits. I know you are heading back to UCLA soon so I thought this “Courage” pendant would be appropriate for you to have on behalf of Tiffany & Co. La Cumbre Plaza….Sincerely, Chelsea V.” (So sweet!)
Fast forward another month…We ran into Chelsea and her family at a local eatery when she told me to stop by the store because they had a gift waiting for Rudy…from the Tiffany & C0. LAS VEGAS BELLAGIO team!!!! WHO?…from WHERE? Again, I was blown away!!! Sure enough, the Bellagio team had been following Rudy’s story as well and sent him a beautiful Tiffany football piggy bank with a card addressed to: Our Inspiration Little Rudy! (Super sweet!)
Okay, so my little pre-Thanksgiving story isn’t O Henry’s Gift of the Magi but it is a fun and unexpected (and MUCH appreciated) reminder that Rudy is known, loved and shown extravagance not because he can give anything in return but simply for being himself AND that the kindness of strangers goes a LONG way in bringing encouragement and lifting heavy hearts…
I pulled out a stash of papers from Rudy’s files this week…an 11-page, single-spaced list of people to whom we’ve written thank you notes on Rudy’s behalf this past year…a list of kindnesses from both strangers and those close to our hearts…a pretty remarkable list of some remarkable people for which we are forever and deeply grateful. Happy Thanksgiving dear Friends of Rudy! May this holiday season be marked by abundant joy, extravagant love and “fear-eliminating” hope for us all!
Rudy's Beat 
Oh, Trish, that is the loveliest Thanksgiving story I’ve read in a long, long time. Thanks so much for sharing this sweet story, and sharing it in your own inimitable way. Rudy truly is a picture for all of us – we love him just because he is. It doesn’t matter at all if some things don’t work well (well, of course it matters – but not in terms of how loved he is!) – he is Rudy, he is here and he is loved. God sees us that way, I think – a bit broken, needing help, but so loved, so accepted, so blessed. The analogy breaks down – as all of them do – but I think it’s helpful for us to picture ourselves as creatures who are loved simply because we’re here, broken bits and all. Have a lovely weekend!
Thanks for sharing that amazing story! Am also blown away by the fact that the boys can actually sort out their bionicles!!!!!
Courage; all HLHS families live it everyday; bless all of them on this Thanksgiving Day, prayers to all, Nick’s Grandma {some of our stores are actually opening at 3a.m., why bother closing}
Happy Thanksgiving Geyling Family! We’re so happy that you’re all at home celebrating together. Have a great day!
Dear sweet and precious ones…..another “miracle story”! The folks at Tiffany’s couldn’t possibly know how jewelry has captured the heart of Trish from a very early childhood age! Nor could any of us imagine the reactions to Rudy as he is out and about. Surely God has a special purpose for Rudy’s life because his story has touched the hearts of so many friends, family, acquaintances and strangers. On this Thanksgiving Day 2009 we are thankful for being your parents and the children’s grandparents and for His watchcare over all of you as you live out this challenging path you are traveling. Well done !!! ….Grandma Jo
Interesting that Tiffany’s blue and Rudy’s blue are very similar? Mere coincidence?
What a beautiful Thanksgiving story! It shows there’s so much good all over; we too often hear only the bad stuff We’re grateful to God for your beautiful family and that you share your blessing with us to enrich our lives also; thank you, dear ,special family! Love, Jane and Joe
What a cool story!! And what a cool kid and family. Thanks to you all for the inspiration you are to us over here in Boston.
Love, Andi, Maya, and Kyra
Oh….great story!……and we give thanks that the Geylings have enriched our lives….mucho loves to you all!
Awesome story. Love it. Glad you are blessed by so many, as you are also a blessing to us all. Love and prayers as always.
this is so great! what a wonderful surprise. rudy looks great, you guys!
much love,
the nelson family
And Rudy is looking so grown-up in those pictures. Continued prayers that you all continue to have a blessed Advent season.
Wow! What an awesome Thanksgiving story! Rudy and Tiffany!! What an awesome pair!! LOL! It is amazing how one amazing journey can touch so many in such a profound way!!!
God bless you and enjoy the holiday season!!!
Love,
Tanya
Trish, I continue to be blessed by the stories that are coming out of your journey with Rudy. This one was especially touching because, as you summarized, it is a “reminder that Rudy is known, loved and shown extravagance not because he can give anything in return but simply for being himself.” What a great picture of God’s love for us and an encouragement to all of us who at times feel like we don’t bring much to the table.