An Unexpected Miracle of the Little Kind
It is my understanding from Heavenletters™ that all miracles are surprises. That which we already expect -- we forget that they're miracles, you know, like the sun and stars in the sky and babies and so on.
About a year and a half ago, a 24-hour gym opened in our little town. The gym is a short walk from where I live. Perfect.
The first week that the gym opened, someone from New York was doing the promoting. Lauren, my daughter, and I were just walking by and went in. This man from New York was so charming and wonderful and fun that my daughter left with a membership. Because it was their opening special, I could get a full membership for $10. a month!! Lauren was in a hurry so I was to come back any day that week to fill out forms.
I went back in on Saturday, and the promotion man was gone. The owner himself was there. He would not honor the rate the promo man had given me. The owner didn't question that the man had offered me a membership for $10. a month. He was sure he had, but the owner was not happy with the promo man, and it appeared he wasn't going to do anything that the man had promised. The owner said he couldn't afford to have a member for only $10. a month. He didn't care about good will.
And that was that. And my daughter who was now bound by a contract wasn't happy to go there after that either, so she kept paying and didn't go.
The other day, someone told me that there was a new owner and that he was great guy.
I didn't think any more about it until the night I'm going to tell you about. Lauren and Jacqueline and I were walking around the square (for exercise) and looking at the gingerbread houses made by children and adults that were in every store window. I loved the children's best!
Then we passed the gym! Then I remembered, of course. I told Lauren and Jacqueline that there was a new owner. And then the new owner beckoned us in.
I said, "Are you the new owner?"
Yes, he was. His name is Rob, and he shook hands with all of us, and introduced us to Lucinda, his wife.
Lauren didn't want me to say anything, but I did. I told him about my experience with the previous owner.
Immediately, he said, "I'll honor it!"
I said, "Wow! You will? You really will?!" I filled out the four pages of forms right then, and the next day they had my key ready. The new owners are NICE. I think considerate and caring is who they really are.
How can they miss with all the good will they're creating?
This couple was so nice that I didn't want to leave! But Lauren was in a hurry, and she and Jacqueline literally pulled me away.
Comments
Now that's customer service! I believe that one of the benefits of this financial slump is that businesses will come to realize once again the importance of customer service. It is sometimes the only thing that sets one company apart from another. Sure, sales and promotions will pull customers in, but customer retention is all about treating the customer well. These new gym owners are going a step beyond by honoring contracts as the first owner should have. Their considerate and caring attitudes will make for loyal customers and a successful business.
Dear Gloria,
Yes, wasn't that great about Rob and Lucinda honoring your prior membership offer? Now I want to set the record straight. Lauren and I did not "pull" you away. As I recall, I stuck my head back in the doorway(I had been waiting 5 minutes outside in the freezing cold), and very nicely said: "I need to get home." And still Gloria stayed and talked for another minute.
Lauren and I were freezing, expecting Gloria(who had already chatted with the nice couple for 10 minutes) to see us poor freezing women outside in the bitter, bitter cold waiting(yet again) for Gloria.
I take extreme exception to being portrayed as being
a "puller" of any sort.
Anyone who knows dear sweet Gloria knows that she has a tiny problem with time management. Of course to her it is no problem at all, and don't we all wish we could be in that space. (Do I use the word space as a pun? No I didn't intentionally, but.......)
So dear readers, please know that Lauren and I treat Gloria with the utmost respect and love on all our many walks, and see how she vilifies us.
We are not villians!
We are not the librarian who admonished Gloria.
We are not the friend that spoke rudely to Gloria.
NO!!
We are the kind and wonderful people who walk with Gloria and wait for her to put on her shoes.
So there!
It's true. Every word Jacqueline says is true. So now you know.
This is such a lovely story about human nature. We trust people to honor their word and often we "trust" that a replacement, in this case a new business owner will honor the word that was previously given. We take it for granted that everyone is generous and kind and eager to honor previous agreements that may not have been conveyed to the new person in charge of the rules or the plan.
Why? Because we know we can trust ourselves to honor our word. That's all that really matters.
Thank you for sharing this wonderful story, Gloria!
With much love and gratitude,
Carol
Gloria,
My name is Angel and I am Lucinda's Aunt from New York. All New Yorkers are not that bad, but I sure am proud of my Neice Lucinda and Rob for what they are doing. They are really a truly caring and considerate couple. I love them both and their 3 children. (I'm not proud....am I ???)
Beloved Angel, aren't you aptly named!
Rob and Lucinda and their children are definitely a family to be proud of. I'm proud to know them.
They are everything you want people to be.
They continue to be wonderful. It's really a joy to go to the gym. They are good to everyone and to each other.
You're a fortunate aunt!
And people from New York are good to know, too!
Gloria,
First and foremost, we thank-you so much for your story about us. We were really touched and appreciative for your thoughtfulness. I truly believe that we are only here for a short time and that we only have so long to fulfill the plans that God has in store for us. I recently read and recommend a book that I can say changed my outlook on life tremendously. The book is titled "The Dash". If I took you to a random grave site and asked you, "What all do you see on the headstone?" You would probably mention a name and some dates, and I would ask what the dates stand for, and you would probably tell me their birthdate and their date of passing. Then I would ask you who it was and you would probably tell me you don't know, but what if I asked you about the Dash in between the dates? That very Dash is the memories that we should strive to create, because it's what we do between those years that matters most. So when I read your story,(our Dash) I was truly moved to know that we not only touched someone's life but we made an impact for God. Once again thank-you and may God bless you and your family!
Rob
Beloved Rob, after your goodness, how could I not express the joy in my heart?
May God be in every gym around the world the way He is in yours.
I'm so grateful.
This is from a customer and friend of Rob and Lucinda. As I am reading all these blogs it just sounds like a typical Rob and Lucinda(I call her Shortcake)kind of thing. They are always looking for kind things to do, making a difference and giving all the glory to God. I am glad to call them my friends. Beth L.
Dear Beth, Rob and Lucinda are what we want the whole world to be. They live their ideals. How proud God must be of them.
DEAR GLORIA,
HELLO!!!! WE MISS HEARING FROM YOU.... WE HAVE HAD ALOT TO GO THROUGH.... AND THE LORD ANSWERED OUR PRAYERS..... HE HAS HELPED US IN TIME OF NEED..... I HOPE THAT YOU ARE DOING WELL... HOPE TO SEE YOU AROUND SOON....
WE ALSO HOPE YOUR GIRL IS DOING WELL....
MAY GOD BLESS YOU AND KEEP YOU BOTH WELL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
WITH GOD'S LOVE YOUR FRIEND LUCINDA AND ROB
Beloved Lucinda, I have missed you and your wonderful gym too. First I broke my shoulder. Then I broke a rib on the other side. But probably the main reason why I haven't been there is because my daughter hasn't been going, and it's been hard for me to have the oomph. It's easier to go when you just go every day.
You are so lovely to come to this blog.
I did stop by one day to see you at a time when you weren't there. Why I haven't picked up the phone I don't know because I have thought of you and Rob so often and with great love.
You and Rob and your whole family are such beautiful examples of giving love and love and more love, it doesn't seem right that you would have a lot to go through. But that seems to be how it works, and I understand there is always good in it.
Not only has my daughter not been going, she has moved to Chicago!
I'm going to spend the month of September giving Godwriting workshops in Europe. And then, by the end of November, I will be on my way to a Godwriting workshop tour across the U.S. and then down into South America. I will be making my home in Argentina.
That seems bizarre, doesn't it?
I'll stop by again soon, dear angel.
With love and blessings,
Gloria