It’s been a little over 2 years since I joined the club. And I remember vividly my first day attending the club meeting. After the ritual introduction of new people, and the staff reports and the president’s challenge it was time for the show-n-tell. Though I hadn’t planned to show anything I ended up playing my native American flute and gave a little overview of why I was there and what I was hoping to get out of the club. After the show-n-tell during the break many people came and spoke to me and welcomed me warmly to the club. But the 2 people I remember vividly are Thelma & Colin Mackenzie. Thelma asked me where I am from. She said they themselves immigrated to the bay area from Canada. After a little chit-chat I walked into the main workshop area. There out of all the things in the room my eyes locked onto a plate that was on the table. It was no ordinary plate. It had chocolates on them. My legs as if pre-programmed walked straight to the table and I don’t have to say what happened next. I had no idea where those chocolates came from. But you can guess where a few of them ended up.

After the stop at the plate on the table the smell of freshly brewed coffee just around the corner made me go and pour myself a cup of coffee. A club that offers the 2 main ingredients for a happy life (chocolates and coffee) is a club worth being a part of. At the end of the meeting I dashed back to the table. But only found an empty plate. I drove home a happy man nevertheless.

It didn’t take me long to figure out where those chocolates come from. Month after month the Mackenzie’s made me a happy man. And Johnny Alias never failed to put a cherry on top of that happiness by having freshly brewed coffee for all the club members at all our meetings.

Thelma and Colin Mackenzie have not only provided chocolates for all of us they have donated many boxes of chocolates to be raffled off as school donations during Mother’s Day, valentine’s day and many special occasions. It is people like the Mackenzie’s and Johnny Alias who bring happiness and fun to our club. Johnny usually comes early and quietly makes coffee. I feel a little sad when I don’t see Thelma and Colin every month. Every time I see Thelma, Colin and Johnny they put a smile on my face.  Every meeting I secretly hope that I see Thelma and Colin at the meeting, and I miss them when they don’t come.

I want to take this moment to thank and celebrate our unsung heroes Thelma, Colin and Johnny for the happiness they bring to all of us at the club and wish Colin a speedy recovery to his health.

~Hari~