We spent the evening last night at a fundraiser auction for muscular dystrophy. The evening was well attended — probably 500 generous people there — and John Curley a local celeb was the emcee who helped make it alot of fun. We went with friends who have an in-law who is very stricken by a form of muscular dystrophy so it is a cause that matters to all of us. I think its important to contribute to causes that affect/matter to the people in your life. It really struck me last night when one of the ladies with the disease — now in her 70s — said that in 35 years, despite a great deal of research, they have made no progress on curing, or even arresting, MD. So its hard for the people who have it to have hope but you really need hope to deal with almost anything difficult in your life. These kinds of fundraisers help keep research funded and help keep hope alive. And we had a wonderful time too. We didn’t bid on anything in the live auction but we won five different things in the silent auctions. My “spread” of prizes is in the pictures. I got a haul (took Glen three trips to the car!) We also enjoyed our evening because we had the good fortune of being put at a table next to the founder of Third Place Books. He also owns Crossroads Mall in Bellevue. He and his wife were wonderful. They shared that her dad had been stricken with MD and since it is a genetic disease they had chose not to have any children but instead adopted three. Sometimes you really don’t know how far-reaching disease in a family can be and last night was a good reminder for me and Glen.

I left last night thinking two things:

1. Always try to live with gratitude. When you have good health you live a blessed life.

2. Give generously. There are so many causes that need and deserve our help. We can help make a difference so that 35 years from now they won’t still be looking for a cure.