When I told the meeting planner at the West Seattle Senior Center that I’d be bringing a red nose for everyone, she seemed more touched than I would have expected. Turned out she thought I’d said I’d be bringing each person a red rose. This happens pretty often. To tell the truth it’s hard for people to imagine why I’d want them to wear a red nose, and I’ve got to tell you it took me many years to work it out. At first, some people didn’t want to wear noses, even though I assured them their nose was previously unused and no one had ever, ever worn it before. They were suspicious. But they put the noses on.
Soon, they were taking pictures of each other like it was high school graduation. The guys were wearing noses for tie tacs and watch fobs. Oh, sure there was the occasional person who was asphyxiated by the foam rubber, but by and large it was fun.
The important thing is that when you add something unexpected to the mix, the whole dynamic changes. Smiles abound and – remember this was a fund raiser – you want to share the joy. The wonderful generous people at West Seattle Senior Center contributed $21,000. That was $6000 over their goal, and the pledges are still coming in. What can we do today that’s different from the way we always do it. Get in touch with me with your ideas, and receive your very own previously unused red nose. ">
