FROM THE EDITOR A
L E T T E R
B Y D U S T I N T R OYA N
I know a man that says, “right where you are is where you are supposed to be.” That the “universe” has a purpose for you and you should embrace the what ,why and where of what you are doing. A bit metaphysical for some, but, it really makes you think. Am I doing what I am supposed to be doing, at this moment? If that is the case, it is a Saturday afternoon. I have “noise reduction” ear muffs on as the kids are making some noise and I am trying to concentrate. We just got back from a quick couple of nights camping in our trailer at Rincon Parkway and when we got home, the slide-out broke and would not go in. I was under the trailer for a few hours and mostly fixed it, but, I still had to unload the truck and trailer, put a coat of chalkboard paint on the “Chalkboard Chevelle,” and write this. Of course there is dinner and the family and all that stuff, so I guess I am right where I need to be, behind a computer with ear muffs on. I can hear myself breathing. It is really an interesting thought, “right where you are is where you are meant to be.” When I find myself in interesting situations or situations that are out of the ordinary, I now ask myself, “why am I here?” What is it that I am supposed to see, hear, learn; Who is it that I am supposed to meet? There is a reason I am here, what is it? Recently, Heather and I were invited to the seventieth birthday of a friend of ours. This friend is very successful. A very kind and generous man, I have known him for years now. I have met his family a few times, but I am closer with him than his family. When we were invited, I was touched, he is a very popular man. He was having the birthday party in Beverly Hills. Sure I am around exotic cars a bit, but I really don’t head into Beverly Hills much. For that matter, I rarely go over the hill. I try to spend as much time with the family and at the beach or hiking, with the grandparents, things like that. So for me to head to Beverly Hills on a Sunday evening, it was a bit out of the ordinary for me (us). The invite suggested that the dress code was “Urban Chic”, I had no idea what that meant, and I was certain that nothing I owned was “urban chic.” I have business suits, camouflaged shorts and Motor4Toys T-shirts, in black or blue. My range is limited, as aforementioned, I don’t go out to clubs or out for drinks, if at all. The reason I mention the dress, is that this “event” was really out of the norm for us. Not that we were celebrating a birthday of a dear friend, but we have never been to the Waldorf Astoria nor a residence in Beverly Hills, unless it was an event at a car dealership in Beverly Hills. My friend had a wonderful party. For such a popular man, the celebration was very intimate. I would say under a hundred people. I kept asking myself why am I here? Yes, I am a friend of his, but, there has to be some greater purpose. What am I supposed to hear? Learn? Who am I meant to meet? What is the “take-away”? We knew nobody there. Well, we know his wife but, that was about it. We were quick to make new friends as everyone was very nice. But if you knew my friend, you would understand why he was surrounded by nice people. A reflection of himself. But, I am getting ahead of myself. So as the evening went on, we were asked that if we had a fun story to share about him or, something to say it was welcomed. First the family spoke, it was just what you would expect to hear from a loving family. Then the friends started speak, I was learning a lot about my friend. Then, and this is when it hit me, then I knew what I was there to hear. One of the things.... A man got up and said some kind words. Very kind words. He actually appeared to hold back tears. Then he said, “no one here knows how many lives have been changed or saved by my friend.” You make think that you know, but, he has made such a difference in this world, he has saved so many people, none of you at this party will ever know or realize....” Something to that effect. THAT was why I was there. It was to hear that. How he has made such a difference in people’s lives and never asked for a thank you or an acknowledgment. Philanthropy from the heart. Then, something else hit me. My old partner at the coffee shop, when his father passed away we went to the “Rememberance” which was also in Beverly Hills. People were speaking very highly about his father. Then, my partner’s brother stands up and says, “nobody here knows how many lives were changed for the better by our father.” “nobody here really knows the scope of how many people my father helped through his philanthropy..how many people here went to college because of my father?” In a packed room, damn near every hand went up. Then he said, “my father has a scholarship fund in perpetuity to help children become educated and make the world a better place...” FOR PERPETUITY! I had never, ever even thought about something like that, “for perpetuity.” It ends up that people at our table also new my old partner’s family as they went to school together and were members at Hillcrest. It is a small world indeed. That is why I was there, at both events. To learn about two great men, one who passed on and one with a great many years left. I was there to learn about an illustration of who I wanted to be like. To change the world and those around me by action, kindness, generosity and achievement. And, to not look for recognition, something I truly admire about these two men. They did it, to just do it. They decided to change so many lives because they could, for the right reasons, from the heart, perhaps even further, from their soul. The other reason I was at the birthday party was to realize how special my friend is and indeed how important it is to have people like him in my life, our lives for so many years to come. It is people like Jim and Sam that have decided to shape the world, inspire others, give back, then give back some more and then keep giving. I was there to be inspired. A true gift indeed. Jim, thank you for that night and your friendship. Sam, I wish I got to know you better, but I know you through Louis and because of that, I know you deeply. Folks, be like Sam and Jim. Give, inspire, share, teach, not for credit or acknowledgment, but, because it gives us hope. Have a legacy. Dustin 5