Steve Ferguson
Enthusiast
Good bye and happy holiday\'s
I just wanted to make a little (OK, a large one) post to cover that holiday's and to welcome in the new administration that will be taking over in a few short days.
It has been and honor and a dream come true serving as the National President of the Viper Club of America. I thank all the VCA members for taking part in what I belive is the premier Club in the world. I am looking forward to my retirement and specially, to having the new Team, led By Tony Estes, take the VCA to greater heights.
Please allow me to say thank you to the VCA members. It is because of your passion that the VCA is what it is today. You all need too stand up and take a bow. You are a credit to the meaning of loved ones.
Below is a little holiday message I sent out earlier today to some of my close friends. Since I cherish my VCA friendships more than the Viper itself, I thought it might be appropriate to share this with all of you. The story that follows my words is a true inspiration, and I hope that all of you take the opportunity to enjoy the true meaning of what joys are out there for all of us. We are truly blessed. Sorry for the rambling, but I promise this is the last time you will ever see something this long from me again.
HOLIDAY GREETING:
Please allow me to start by saying a happy holidays to all. This has been a year to remember, but as always, the end arrives faster than we would all like. The holidays always have a way of bringing great joy for many, but also some depression for others. I have always found that a simple gesture or a warm greeting during these stressful times, are the greatest remedy
for whatever may cause ones depression.
When I read this story below, it caught me by complete surprise. I admit, I was not yet in the holiday spirit, but a few beautiful words were all it took to jump start my heart. If this does not get your heart bubbling with joy, then may I suggest a staring roll in the GRINCH!
This touching story has put me in the mood. I immediately put on a Christmas CD after reading the beautiful story. I can safely say that if Kim were to put the keys to a brand new Viper under the tree this year, that I still would not be filled with as much joy as this simple gift below has provided.
Thanks for a great year. We have air in our lungs, a roof over our heads and the love of each other all to look forward too. What could be greater!
Love, hope and joy to all,
Steven J. Ferguson
PLEASE READ:
I am a mother of three (ages 14, 12,3) and have recently completed my college degree. The last class I had to take was Sociology. The teacher was absolutely inspiring with the qualities that I wish every human being had been graced with. Her last project of the term was called "Smile."
The class was asked to go out and smile at three people and document their reactions. I am a very friendly person and always smile at everyone and say hello anyway, so I thought this would be a piece of cake, literally.
Soon after we were assigned the project, my husband, youngest son, and I went out to McDonald's one crisp March morning. It was just our way of sharing special play time with our son. We were standing in line, waiting to be served, when all of a sudden everyone around us began to back away, and then even my husband did. I did no t move an inch . . . an overwhelming
feeling of panic welled up inside of me as I turned to see why they had moved. As I turned around I smelled a horrible "dirty body" smell, and there standing behind me were two poor homeless men.
As I looked down at the short gentleman, close to me, he was "smiling". His beautiful sky blue eyes were full of God's light as he searched for acceptance. He said, "Good day" as he counted the few coins he had been clutching. The second man fumbled with his hands as he stood behind his friend. I realized the second man was mentally deficient and the blue eyed
gentleman was his salvation.
I held my tears as I stood there with them. The young lady at the counter asked him what they wanted. He said "Coffee is all Miss" because that was all they could afford. (If they wanted to sit in the restaurant and warm up, they had to buy something. He just wanted to be warm).
Then I really felt it - the compulsion was so great I almost reached out and embraced the little man with the blue eyes.
That was when I noticed all eyes in the restaurant were set on me, judging my every action. I smiled and asked the young lady behind the counter to give me two more breakfast meals on a
separate tray. I then walked around the corner to the table that the man had chosen as a resting spot. I put the tray on the table and laid my hand on the blue eyed gentleman's cold hand. He looked up at me with tears in his eyes and said, "Thank you." I leaned over, began to pat his hand and said, "I did not do this for you. God is here working through me to give you
hope." I started to cry as I walked away to join my husband and son.
When I sat down my husband smiled at me and said, "That is why God gave you to me, Honey. To give me hope." We held hands for a moment and at that time we knew that only because of the Grace that we had been given we were able to give. We are not church goers, but we are believers. That day showed me the pure Light of
God's sweet love.
I returned to college, on the last evening of class, with this story in hand. I turned in "my project" and the instructor read it. The she looked up at me and said, "Can I share this?" I slowly nodded as she got the attention of the class. She began to read and that is when I knew that we as human beings and being part of God, share this need to heal people and be healed.
* In my own way I had touched the people at McDonald's, my husband, son, instructor, and every soul that shared the classroom on the last night I spent as a college student. I graduated with one of the biggest lessons I would ever learn:
> UNCONDITIONAL ACCEPTANCE.
I just wanted to make a little (OK, a large one) post to cover that holiday's and to welcome in the new administration that will be taking over in a few short days.
It has been and honor and a dream come true serving as the National President of the Viper Club of America. I thank all the VCA members for taking part in what I belive is the premier Club in the world. I am looking forward to my retirement and specially, to having the new Team, led By Tony Estes, take the VCA to greater heights.
Please allow me to say thank you to the VCA members. It is because of your passion that the VCA is what it is today. You all need too stand up and take a bow. You are a credit to the meaning of loved ones.
Below is a little holiday message I sent out earlier today to some of my close friends. Since I cherish my VCA friendships more than the Viper itself, I thought it might be appropriate to share this with all of you. The story that follows my words is a true inspiration, and I hope that all of you take the opportunity to enjoy the true meaning of what joys are out there for all of us. We are truly blessed. Sorry for the rambling, but I promise this is the last time you will ever see something this long from me again.
HOLIDAY GREETING:
Please allow me to start by saying a happy holidays to all. This has been a year to remember, but as always, the end arrives faster than we would all like. The holidays always have a way of bringing great joy for many, but also some depression for others. I have always found that a simple gesture or a warm greeting during these stressful times, are the greatest remedy
for whatever may cause ones depression.
When I read this story below, it caught me by complete surprise. I admit, I was not yet in the holiday spirit, but a few beautiful words were all it took to jump start my heart. If this does not get your heart bubbling with joy, then may I suggest a staring roll in the GRINCH!
This touching story has put me in the mood. I immediately put on a Christmas CD after reading the beautiful story. I can safely say that if Kim were to put the keys to a brand new Viper under the tree this year, that I still would not be filled with as much joy as this simple gift below has provided.
Thanks for a great year. We have air in our lungs, a roof over our heads and the love of each other all to look forward too. What could be greater!
Love, hope and joy to all,
Steven J. Ferguson
PLEASE READ:
I am a mother of three (ages 14, 12,3) and have recently completed my college degree. The last class I had to take was Sociology. The teacher was absolutely inspiring with the qualities that I wish every human being had been graced with. Her last project of the term was called "Smile."
The class was asked to go out and smile at three people and document their reactions. I am a very friendly person and always smile at everyone and say hello anyway, so I thought this would be a piece of cake, literally.
Soon after we were assigned the project, my husband, youngest son, and I went out to McDonald's one crisp March morning. It was just our way of sharing special play time with our son. We were standing in line, waiting to be served, when all of a sudden everyone around us began to back away, and then even my husband did. I did no t move an inch . . . an overwhelming
feeling of panic welled up inside of me as I turned to see why they had moved. As I turned around I smelled a horrible "dirty body" smell, and there standing behind me were two poor homeless men.
As I looked down at the short gentleman, close to me, he was "smiling". His beautiful sky blue eyes were full of God's light as he searched for acceptance. He said, "Good day" as he counted the few coins he had been clutching. The second man fumbled with his hands as he stood behind his friend. I realized the second man was mentally deficient and the blue eyed
gentleman was his salvation.
I held my tears as I stood there with them. The young lady at the counter asked him what they wanted. He said "Coffee is all Miss" because that was all they could afford. (If they wanted to sit in the restaurant and warm up, they had to buy something. He just wanted to be warm).
Then I really felt it - the compulsion was so great I almost reached out and embraced the little man with the blue eyes.
That was when I noticed all eyes in the restaurant were set on me, judging my every action. I smiled and asked the young lady behind the counter to give me two more breakfast meals on a
separate tray. I then walked around the corner to the table that the man had chosen as a resting spot. I put the tray on the table and laid my hand on the blue eyed gentleman's cold hand. He looked up at me with tears in his eyes and said, "Thank you." I leaned over, began to pat his hand and said, "I did not do this for you. God is here working through me to give you
hope." I started to cry as I walked away to join my husband and son.
When I sat down my husband smiled at me and said, "That is why God gave you to me, Honey. To give me hope." We held hands for a moment and at that time we knew that only because of the Grace that we had been given we were able to give. We are not church goers, but we are believers. That day showed me the pure Light of
God's sweet love.
I returned to college, on the last evening of class, with this story in hand. I turned in "my project" and the instructor read it. The she looked up at me and said, "Can I share this?" I slowly nodded as she got the attention of the class. She began to read and that is when I knew that we as human beings and being part of God, share this need to heal people and be healed.
* In my own way I had touched the people at McDonald's, my husband, son, instructor, and every soul that shared the classroom on the last night I spent as a college student. I graduated with one of the biggest lessons I would ever learn:
> UNCONDITIONAL ACCEPTANCE.
