My Dad's First Podcast

Brian Oates from www.daxle.net interviewed me a few months ago regarding my book and my motivations behind writing it. Brian and I got along swimmingly and he has become a regular reader of my BLOG. As a reader of my BLOG, Brian has gotten to know a little bit about my dad's amazing story of losing his eyesight due to Macular Degeneration and his amazing battle to regain his vision to the point that he is back driving!

Brian was kind enough to approach Dad and myself about doing a three-way podcast to let Dad's story be told by the man himself. It was an honor and privilege for me to have this opportunity to hear my dad in his own words tell his amazing story. He truly is an inspiration to me and continues to be my greatest hero.

So thanks to Brian, I wanted to share this amazing podcast with my Ripple audience. Thank you Brian for bringing this great idea to fruition and for giving my dad and myself the opportunity to share his story. Talk about a Ripple!!!

www.daxle.net/imprint/media/JimHarper.mp3

Comments are welcome and I know my dad would love to answer any questions or hear any comments you might want to offer. He provides his contact information at the end of the podcast.

The Breakfast Fairy Challenge - Part Two

Just had to share this great email that I just received from my dad. What amazing timing as it was obvious he not yet seen my BLOG post from yesterday when he decided to take on the challenge and play the role of Breakfast Fairy.

Pretty damn cool!

Just in case your interested...here's a pic of my folks with Josh peeking over Grandma's shoulder.

Hi Steve,

Yesterday morning Mom and I went to Le Chantilly for our favorite Bow Tie pastry and coffee after getting an X-ray for her follow-up appointment with the doctor. Le Chantilly is an informal place -- sometimes they wait on you at the table, often times you have to go to the bakery cases to get any attention. Either way, they just get what you ask for, bring it to the table, and you may not see that person again. No check. So, I was waiting at the register to be noticed by anyone of a group of employees chatting while preparing food or simply chatting, These waits can sometimes be quite long, and this was no exception, And older fellow walked up to join the "wait ritual". He kept looking back to see if his wife was coming as we chatted about the slow service.

His wife obviously had difficulty walking ,,, shuffle steps, much like Mom's were a few year back. I told him that I admired them for getting out and about. We had a minute or two to chat further before an employee finally showed up at the register. I told her what we had ordered, and said I wanted to pay for this couple; meal as well. He was a bit flustered and argued a bit -- he said it was the first time in his 88 years anyone had ever done that.

I shared the "Breakfast Fairy" story and one or two others that had given me the incentive to "pay forward" rather than pay back. I told him Alzheimer's and our determination to stay active was the common thread between the stories. It was no surprise when he told me his wife had been diagnosed with Alzheimer's about four years ago. He said he had been career military, and he thought of her disease as his "last battle". Neat couple that we will look for again.

What could have been a story about poor customer service turned in to a great "pay forward" opportunity -- what a surprise to then read you blog last night.

Love ya ... Dad