posted
I am an observer of people. For years it has been my hobby to watch folks and see how they interact with others...what makes them "tick". It is very encouraging to see people set goals and then work to see them accomplished.
Grandpa Dan and a lot of other people are heroes of mine.
One of those heroes is Donna Williams. Single Moms never have an easy life. There is no way that I can imagine the responsibility of caring for a child by myself, but there are countless number of young women who take on the task of being both parents to their children. It can't be an easy endeavor of trying to juggle work and home and still finding the time for yourself.
Over the past few years I've read Donna's posts here and "saw" the struggle of being the best Mother possible for her son and trying to establish a business at the same time.
While at Dan's workshop back in October I had the opportunity to observe Donna in person. We took a tour of her remodeling project and I was amazed at what she had already accomplished and the lofty goals she had for the future. And all of this was done by a lady that just recently discovered power tools....or any tools for that matter.
Now, you'll have to agree that Donna is easy on the eyes, but her beauty goes much deeper. She certainly is not afraid to get her hands dirty and work right along side the rest of us.
During the workshop she was constantly finding things to do that made the workshop easier and more enjoyable for the rest of us. It was not uncommon to see her cleaning the bathroom or making sure that drinks and snacks were available, or running an errand for Dan and Janis.
One event stands out in my mind. Dan had demonstrated his concrete tree techniques and allowed some of us to participate. In the process, we made a mess. There was trash and concrete all over the floor. After having our fun, we went on to something else. A few minutes later, there was Donna down on her hands and knees cleaning up the concrete and sweeping the floor. And she wasn't getting any pay or special favors for what she was doing....and no one asked (or told) her to do it.
Donna laughs a lot. Especially at me...but just about everyone and everything else, too. She's a very special lady and it's an honor to call her a friend.
[ December 11, 2008, 02:07 PM: Message edited by: Raymond Chapman ]
-------------------- Chapman Sign Studio Temple, Texas chapmanstudio@sbcglobal.net Posts: 6306 | From: Temple, Texas, USA | Registered: Nov 1998
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posted
That was nice Ray. This reminds me of my wife, Nita. She does to same thing at Letterhead meets. And NEVER complains. I'm a very lucky man! Thanks for sharing.
-------------------- John Arnott El Cajon CA 619 596-9989 signgraphics1@aol.com http://www.signgraphics1.com Posts: 1443 | From: El Cajon CA usa | Registered: Dec 1998
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Nice story Ray.... I have 3 sisters who done the same thing as Donna, well they have 2 kids each, 2 of My Sisters have a dead beat Husband, who never ever contributed anything... and those sisters are doing just fine, Looks good on Donna.
-------------------- "Keep Positive"
SIGNS1st. Neil Butler Paradise, NF Posts: 6277 | From: St. John's NF Canada | Registered: Mar 1999
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Very nice of you to take time and explain your thoughts of Donna and although I have never met her personally, I totally understand the way you feel. A long time ago, years in fact Donna used to be on our chat channel here in Letterville along with many others who don't frequent it much these days. Donna has always been full of energy and the more she learns it seems she gets more involved and I for one am glad she is learning the other aspects of the craft she holds so dearly and I'm sure Donna enjoys the learning curve as well.
Donna has always been tops in my book
-------------------- HotLines Joey Madden - pinstriping since 1952 'Perfection, its what I look for and what I live for'
posted
I have not had the pleasure of meeting Donna, but have sorta gotten to know her through her posts and the remodel project. A very special lady for sure !
-------------------- Life is not about waiting for the storm to pass... It's about learning to dance in the rain ! Jim Moser Design 13342 C Grass Valley Ave. Grass Valley, Ca. 95945 530-273-7615 jwmoser@att.net Posts: 488 | From: Grass Valley, Ca. | Registered: May 2006
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I'll happily echo Raymond's comments regarding Donna. She is one of my all time heroes and I'm glad to call her a good friend!
-grampa dan
-------------------- Dan Sawatzky Imagination Corporation Yarrow, British Columbia dan@imaginationcorporation.com http://www.imaginationcorporation.com
Being a grampa is one of the the most wonderful things in the world!!! Posts: 8738 | From: Yarrow, B.C. Canada | Registered: Nov 1998
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LOL Duncan.. I was just cleaning out my old fridge today and chuckled at the signbug sticker 'that won't come off.' The lucky recipient of this old bomb won't have a clue just how lucky they got!
I don't know what to say. I certainly appreciate the kind words from all. I feel pretty blessed to be right where I am with all the good people I have in my life, and continue to meet.
During those moments when you take the time to reflect on those that you know, one at a time, rarely do I feel anything but being extremely grateful to have rubbed shoulders with them for various meaningful reasons. The more folks that touch your life, the more you let in, the more it's simply enriched. That to date, has been the greatest lesson I've learned.
Thanks to all of you that have touched mine in only the way you can. Friends have been extremely meaningful to me especially over the past few years. I couldn't imagine my life without them.
posted
I've certainly got to chime in on this one!
Donna is one of those positive people you want in your life. Even thru the miles, I feel I could reach out from time to time and talk to her as I would a good gal pal. I feel like that about quite a few gals and guys on this board.
Donna says it well when she talks about the people that touch our lives. It's interesting too that you just never know where and what circumstances will bring you the close relationships you develop with people.
Life gives us so many gifts doesn't it?
~nettie
-------------------- "When Love and Skill Work Together ... Expect a Masterpiece"
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I also respect and admire Donna. Over the years we've shared family values, and adoption details and camping and faith and cooking as well as sign chat. She's strong and still sensitive. I appreciate her balance. I don't think she goes camping in the winter.
-------------------- The SignShop Mendocino, California
Making the simple complicated is commonplace; making the complicated simple, awesomely simple, that's creativity. — Charles Mingus Posts: 6716 | From: Mendocino, CA. USA | Registered: Nov 1998
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Classy girl! I'm glad Raymond took the time to post this...but then I think he might just be a classy guy too. Everywhere in life there are wonderful people. Letterville has been a great channel to get to meet and correspond with some of them who share similar interests.
-------------------- “Did you ever stop to think, and forget to start again?” -Winnie the Pooh & A.A. Milne
Kelly Thorson Kel-T-Grafix 801 Main St. Holdfast, SK S0G 2H0 ktg@sasktel.net Posts: 5496 | From: Penzance, Saskatchewan | Registered: May 2002
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