Mostly Tim Sharing His Day

On Friday I had the chance to spend the day in dispense. We’ve talked a little bit about what that is, but you can’t describe it until you experience it. The reality is this is the place where people talk about Mission Magic. It is where you see the smiles on the faces as they see the world for the first time in years. There were so many people that I encountered that warmed my heart and showed me the true meaning of joy that it is hard to relay here. Also, our local volunteers were amazing. They spend hours and hours translating my non-Spanish to the recipients and helping in every way possible. Most of them are local students that are missing school to help. When I talk to them I am blown away by the generosity and willingness to give of themselves.

As I am riding on a buss and typing on someone elses lap, I will be quick. It is hard for me to pick one story from my day as there are just so many. I could tell you about the laughs we had as I attempted to pronounce any of the names in Spanish and the belly-laughs of the recipients as they attempted to understand me. I could tell you about the people that had waited for hours and had lost their Rx information and I worked to rush through the system to make sure they received glasses before the clinic shut down and how greatful they were. I could tell you about the gentleman that came through that told me after he put on his glasses that this was the first time he had read a paper on his own in more than 15 years.

Instead I think I will tell you about the kids. They are so… so hard to describe. In so many ways they make me miss my son Nate. I think of how he wears glasses and how we would not even know he needs them if it weren’t for working for Luxottica. We are so blessed to work for a company that makes that possible and for a company that makes this experience possible.

The children simply make me realize why we are here. One in particular comes to my mind. She came to the dispensing area and I pulled her glasses and, of course, mispronounce her name. After the crowd laughed and I bowed for entertaining them, she came to the front and I fitted the glasses for her. Immediately, I knew there was an issue. Through our great translator, Paula, I found that she could not see anything with the glasses on, but could “sort of see” with them on. After talking with her and her mother, I found that she had not been able to understand the doctor when he was performing the exam and so her Rx was much higher than it should have been. I grabbed the nearest doc. It happened to be Dr. Ron Spalter and he was able to work with her to revisit her Rx. He found that she was way off! We got her a great new pair of glasses and her smile… I can’t even describe how wonderful it made me feel.

I will work to share more stories in the AM. Thanks for reading and know that we were all safe and sound and that we will have wonderful stories to share.

Oh… I should mention throw a quick hello the Target Optical team from Eric, Tim and Shawn. We thank you all for making this happen and will need to share with you the story of Eric and his vocal stylings!