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THANK YOU from Gavin Grow
I am writing to you and to those who have given from their hearts towards the the fulfillment of my dream of mobility. I am filled now with such feelings of gratitude as I have only just returned from the beach moments ago and showered the salt and sand off my new, beautiful van. Even in my dreams I never truly imagined the happiness and better quality of life that I now have, due to the many caring people that donated. For the last thirteen years I have been virtually confined to sitting or lying in one room or another and never really ever going anywhere. I sometimes even forget I have this blessing. Now I can decide to go somewhere and I just go. You can't imagine how wonderful this privilege is, until it is taken from you. I am truly grateful to those that have in one way or another made it possible for me to again visit the beach I love and to also see the many things and places that until now I have only envisioned. I recently enjoyed my first visit to a grocery store in thirteen years and though it was cold inside I was as amazed as a small child must be at the vastness and huge selection of new foods and goods that I had no idea existed. I feel as if I have been imprisoned for some crime I didn't commit and have now been exonerated and freed! Freedom is a truly blessed thing, my Windbrothers, live it . . .
I want to thank the many that made it possible for me to obtain such a beautiful lift van as well as for releasing me from my hidden bonds and giving me a world to explore. First, I want to thank the Publisher of American Windsurfer for not only initiating this undertaking but for his fortitude in ensuring its success. Thoughts of you, John, bring emotional pangs of such deep gratitude that I am not able to convey in written words. Next, I would like to thank Arthur De Haan who not only gave financially a great deal more than anyone else but has visited me personally and has become someone I hope to always call a dear friend. Art, John, my buddy Stephen Brown and Olympic Silver and Bronze medalist Mike Gebhardt came down to present the van to me and have promised to visit again this fall.
I would like to thank those involved in the purchase of my great dream by name in no particular order, as many were very kind to me. Dianne Crawshaw, for making sure all the donations were brought to my attention, Robert Shapiro [nationally recognized attorney], Vinnie Pazienza [former super-middleweight champion], Darrell Hare [best selling author], Jimmy Lewis [World renowned shaper of boards of every kind], Fritz Buckley [Fine Line Airbrushing, for his artistry and beautification of my van], Zoraya Santana [Reef Brazil, for keeping me looking good on my excursions abroad], Jan Tana [Jan Tana Inc. for supplying proper suncare products], Teri Higgins [Sega America, for supplying entertainment on the road during long travels], Heather Chambers for her friendship, assistance and driving skills in getting me to the beach, Holly MacPherson & Kyra Rudhe at USWA, Kelly McMichael [Hawaiian Island Creations], Scott & Deanna Benston [Surf the Earth], Todd Sheridan [Banana Jack], John Weiss [YESMAIL.COM], Scott See [AWIA], Richard North Patterson [Best selling author], Mitch & Julie O'Brien [Island Oasis], Brinke Stevens [actress], Jean Alma Hegland [best selling author], Arthur Mercante [Hall of Fame Referee], L.E. Modesitt, Jr. [best selling author], Kwei & Helen Chao, George & Margaret Eccleston, Bob Kerr, Rose Villani, Edith Webb, Hans Jr. & Kathryn Dahll, Mark Lilly, Lee Roy III & Marian Carson, Rubina A. Dombrosky, Robert J. & Mary Jane Lupien, Matthew Kusak, Brien Reidy, Steve Bavis, Yvonne Aldrich, Craig Aldrich, Douglas Allenberg, Torgny Astrom, Mike Atkins, Andrew Soria, Fred Minkow, Tim Axford, William & Mary Bauknecht, Steve Bevington, Thomas Boyce, William & Evelyn Bryne, Chris Butzow, Addison Gooding, Dain Carson, Meridel Carson, Joe & Elizabeth Caro, Tom Chien, Doug Defonzo, Arthur De Haan, Marco DeMoraes, Lane Dickinson, Ellen Dodd, Antonio Domiciano Silvo Filho, Brian Donnelly, Karen Donovan, Sonja Dorrance, Thomas Evans, Douglas W. Fisher, Walt Fitzharris, Karen Gillham, Linda Grande, Ken Green, Kenneth Haines, Anthony Hand, Harco Painters Inc., Robert Harper III, John Higi, James Intermaggio, Susan Killion, Jens Langenbrinck, Deborah De Bruyn George Linke, Alan Mackenzie, Walker Magnum, Geoffrey McCleary, Colin McRae, Bruce Meier, Chris Mellor, Dan Mika, J. Morledge, Winslow F. & Kenner Myers, Richard & Laurie Patterson, Albert Pierce, Mike Pritchard, Karl Ritzinger, Michael Poloukhine, Pam & Charles Robinson, Clarence Roman, Dana Ritter, Sara Rowe, Alfonso Saballett, Ray Schab, Pat Sharp, Charles Smith, Doug Smith, Richard Staehli, Fred Starr, William Stuart, S. J. Barao, Steve Brown, Roy Tansill, Pamela Telleen, Robert Charles Tobin, Jay M. Uhalt, Adrian Van Velson, Ellen Wallack, Steve Weber, Jim & Grace Wilson, Jo Anne Williams, Windsurfing Saratoga & Jadzia Zielinski.
This act of kindness from each of you has truly made a difference in my life and I hope each of you is equally blessed with the happiness that you so generously bestow on others. My dream of mobility has been fulfilled and it is more glorious and rewarding than I ever hoped. I have been given a key to the world and its beauty, treasures and wonders and it is priceless. Thank you all so very much for this constant smile on my face and this happiness in my heart. I am so grateful to you all.
Your windbrother in FL . . .
Gavin Grow |
