100 Reasons to Celebrate: The American Spirit
Those of you who know me know that I am not particularly patriotic. Don’t get me wrong, I love this country deeply, but I would have to have my eyes closed not to recognize the many challenges that face us. What gives me hope, however, and profoundly inspires me is the American spirit! Former President Obama eloquently said in a recent speech for hurricane relief that “when Americans see their neighbors, and they see their friends, they see strangers in need, Americans step up”.
This was front and center at Illusions of Grandeur this past week when Britta Arnold, our lead designer (and, German by the way), approached me with an idea to do a “pop up” fundraiser for the victims of the fires up north. My team, even after a very busy fall and even busier week, was immediately on board. Needing a venue I then called Greg Ahn from Folktale and it took him less than five minutes to respond with a simple and sincere, “let’s do it”. Greg went to work and enlisted his team as well as the Monterey County Vintners and Growers Association headed by Kim Stemler. Publication of the event went out on Friday and as I write this on Sunday, the volunteer effort has been amazing and is still growing. I have listed a link to the event here.
This is the American Spirit and what Abraham Lincoln referred to in his first inaugural address as “the better angels of our nature”. For sure, this is a big reason to celebrate!