Monday Goodness

January 11th – When The Plan Becomes The Un-Planned!

So much of our day and life revolves around some type of plan or schedule. Some of the most memorable moments in my life are the ones where the plan became the un-planned. It’s like when I’m out on the Harley and just turn down a different road to see what it will bring. Saturday the 10th was a day that went from a plan to the Un-Planned on levels even I never expected. First let’s cover the plan.

The Plan
A couple of weeks ago, my good friend Buddy Johnson gave me Rockets tickets to take Johnny. It was going to be me, Johnny, one of his friends and Laura. Johnny is probably the #1 Rockets fan in Houston so it is always a treat to take him to a game. Pretty simple plan huh? Now watch below to see how quickly the plan becomes a huge series of events to become the Unplanned.

The Un-Planned
I was talking to Judi and mentioned taking Johnny to the game. She said she was going to be too and would like to meet Johnny as she has heard so much about. Fast forward and Diane Morrow is going with Judi too. More friends equals more fun!

I talk to Johnny and Laura toward the end of last week, and rather than one of Johnny’s friends going, they wanted to take their Mom. As we were discussing the logistics, I mentioned the time to pick them up. Laura thought it was Buddy and I taking Johnny and a friend rather than me taking all of them. It was a nice surprise to her that she was going too.

We get to the club area and grab Johnny and Mom something to eat. As Laura and I are walking back with the food, I tell her, I feel something big is going to happen tonight. About that time Diane and Judi come up to the area. Diane gives Johnny the big hug. They have known each other a few years. Judi gets to meet Johnny and Laura for the first time. She and Laura hit it off in tall order and had a lot of good conversation. Since they are both property managers and runners, they have a lot in common. She says, “I feel like I’ve known Laura all my life.” She also instantly feels what it is to be around Johnny and starts smiling.

As Johnny is eating, he starts talking to the couple next to him. He just likes meeting people. Fast forward a few minutes and the man walks over to Laura and I just a smiling and asks if he could offer up his seats for the next quarter to Johnny and Mom. Well his seats were on the floor on Row B. Row A is the players so that tells you how close they are to the action. We say sure and take Johnny and Mom down to the court. Now mind you we still have not made introductions with the couple. This little unplanned event came out of Johnny saying hi to them.

We get them situated in the seats and head back up top. We start talking about make the introductions and the couple becomes Brian and Irene Binash. We talk about Johnny for a while, our respective jobs, and just life. We the quarter is up and time to go get Johnny and Mom. Brian then says “do you think Johnny and Mom would like to go over the tunnel and see the Rockets come out for the second half?” So away we go, Brian, Irene, Laura and me. We get Johnny and Mom and head over. Normally you have to stay in the glassed in area when the players are coming out, but Security allowed Brian, Johnny, Mom and me, outside area and behind the rope to see the players. We are mere feet from the players as they walked out. You could not wash the smile of Johnny and Mom’s faces with any amount of soap. Oh and they allowed me to take pictures too. I walked in the club for a minute and was talking to one of the door staff and told her the story of a stranger with tickets. She smiled and said: “isn’t it nice to see the blessings around us?” She was oh so right.

We go back across the court and Brian and Irene ask if we want to let Johnny and Mom stay down on the court for the 3rd quarter. Not wanting to wear out our welcome, we went back to sit down. Brian and Irene came by at the end of the game. We all said thank you to them for their kindness and Johnny said a personal thank you to both of them and hugged them. I leaned over and hugged Brian and Irene and told them thank you for a life changing event for Johnny…you have given him a great memory.” We exchanged contact information and they left.

Now think about everything that had to fall in place in the universe for eight strangers to meet an hour earlier and the all the events above happen. One other thing you will notice was strangers exchanging hugs. These were not the business or tent hugs but genuine heart to heart hugs. That my friend is what happens when good people and good energy come together.

To Buddy Johnson, thank you for being a wonderful friend and the catalyst for a totally unplanned and outstanding night by giving us the tickets. To Brian and Irene Binash, thank you for being kind strangers and now friends. To Diane and Judi, thank you for bringing and sharing your good energy. To Laura, Johnny and Mom, thank you for allowing me to have a memorable and fabulously fun night with good people. I am again reminded about how blessed I am with wonderful people in my life. As I mentioned to someone about Saturday: “it was indeed a monsoon of blessings.”