A night to remember.........

So, tonite was the dinner for all the Regional managers from accross the US and all the managers from my office. It is a big deal. It was to be a good-bye to our CEO as well. I was invited. I thought my name got on the e-mail invite by mistake, but they tell me it was no mistake. I guess when you run a whole dept, you get to go to these things. Woo-Hoo, free seafood!!!
This is my first event like this and I was a little nervous. We were all gathered around the bar waiting for everyone to arrive and in walks Edie! This is the woman who is having brain surgery tomorrow. She and her husband came to be with us tonight. It occurred to me at that moment, that these were not just co workers I was standing with, but family.
Edie looked absolutely beautiful.The fact that she chose to spend part of her night with us really overwhelmed me.
We had a very nice dinner; there were lots of toast to the CEO etc. Then Edie got up and spoke to us. She said they had to go home now, but thanked all of us for being there for her. At that moment all 70 or so of us got on our feet and one by one held Edie and said what we needed to say to her. Giving her all the love we could. I held onto her and found it hard to let go.
As each person hugged her and I watched grown men in suits, with tears streaming down their faces I thought to myself, "by god, if love can cure all, this girl is gonna be up and running in no time"
It is the first time I have seen Edie openly weep.
As I watched her hug the last person and head for the stairs, the tears falling out of me uncontrollably, I realized how much she has touched my life. To have this night with her was necessary for all of us.
May the force be with you tomorrow Edie.
jb