She called it a "Love Fest"

posted by Mary Lello, Monday, March 29, 2010, 5:00 AM

Nance Trueworthy pulled off some magic again. She told me she was going to call it a "love fest", and that is indeed what it was.

I've been trying to find the words to express what Saturday night was for those who weren't there and there just aren't any. Two hundred and forty five people came to gather in support of this one guy whose life has taken a horrible detour. His community gathered, sang and danced until the place was shut down and offered support with their love and incredible generosity along with their gifts .... the silent auction was incredible!

There is so much talent in this community! From performers to artists of paint, stones and camera lenses to merchants of wine, bicycles and gourmet deserts and even those who work in the hotel business offered a get away for one night. Pulling all these talents together and offered as additional fund raising, offered for the entertainment for all of us to enjoy is, simply, remarkable. Not only is this community talented but they are loving - and they aren't afraid to show it. It just doesn't get much more wonderful then that.

When stripped of your ability to perform in life at the most basic level I have to say it is this love that you are left with. When all the doing of your life is pulled away and you can no longer "do", it is love that you end up relaxing into and realize it's all that is truly important anyway.

And it was this love that just filled that room on Saturday night. The love of gathering and dancing shone on everyones face.

Jim had a BLAST! He danced until I had to tell him to sit down and rest his legs. When anyone looked at me and said "oh no, I don't dance" .. I said "dance with Jim!" because it is pure joy of the music and the feeling of movement with him. He doesn't care what you look like when you dance. He doesn't care what HE looks like when he dances (now) and just the fun of moving is so intense and so infectious that EVERYONE was dancing!

Yup, great band too!

Of course Jim and I were nervous as we headed over to the party. King for a day after all is not the most comfortable spot to be in. But at the end of the night, when I could see that look on Jim's face that told me he was more then exhausted and I forced him to head for the door, Jim and I got into the car and just looked at each other and said "wow".

Maybe that's the best word for this - wow.

You all are so amazing. You lifted this man up and carried him so far Saturday night. I really don't know how to express my gratitude to all of you for this. They say joy, laughter and love can turn cancer around. If this is true, then each of you have done so much for healing this man.

We do love you all so much!

Thank you!

Mary