One email stands out this week...profoundly. It's subject was entitled, "Help?" With the best wishes of it's author, I am sharing the following excerpt:
"My name is Kristine. I am writing from Kansas with an urgent request. I learned today that my sister survived the earthquake in Haiti. She was in Port-Au-Prince and directly impacted. While I feel tremendously blessed, my heart is breaking for those (apparently thousands) that will not be receiving the same message about their loved ones. I've already done the standard donations to relief organizations, but am looking for ways to do more. There is one thing my sister loves- glassybaby candles. She has several that commemorate special experiences or were gifts from loved ones. She also gives them as gifts. Would you consider selecting a votive that could be sold in honor of all victims of the earthquake and a portion of proceeds could be sent to a charity?..."
Our response time line?...fifteen minutes in...included a walk down the hallway to 'officebaby,' the brick walled sanctuary, where Steve's door is always open to inquiry. After a moment there, I walked back to my working lair and was able to tap out a response email to Kristine that conveyed: 'We have presently begun the promotional code, "Haiti." Through the end of February, for any glassybaby purchase made, web or retail, using the promotional code "Haiti," we will donate 10% from the gross sales to the Red Cross relief efforts there...in honor of a sister and thousands.' Kristine is anxiously awaiting the certain arrival of her sister. We spoke today. She will share the news of the glassybaby Haiti effort, once her sister has returned safely. Thank you for helping us in this effort, and spread the code.
Although the aforementioned stands alone...two more mentionables are... As our biannual seconds sale approaches with much anticipation, I am reminded of an archival blog moment, that took shape sometime ago. I have stowed it away for now. A customer explained to me that she stocks up on glassybaby seconds and safe keeps them as wedding presents. When called to nuptials, she always offers a set of glasssybaby seconds. In her mind this is the perfect gift and metaphor...that marriage is imperfect, yet beautiful. We love the wisdom.
End note...I arrived to my desk after an uneventful morning meeting. My niece, who is in my fold on college break, is enchanted by the glassybaby motto: flowers wilt, chocolates melt, glassybaby forever. She had stealthily placed a hand written post-it on my desk that scribed the following message: friends move, boyfriends fail, aunties forever (I love you.) How can timing be so unbelievably perfect?
Godspeed to Haiti.
Until Next Time, Nicola
