For a few seconds we locked eyes, there was a glint (more like a smirk of the iris) that flickered back and forth.
It was a look that transcended language yet the message was clear. ‘I get it.’ Just as moisture began to creep into the corner slits of both our eyes, I broke the brief but poignant silence and said, “Yeah, it is somewhat humbling isn’t it?”
Sean Connor smiled, partly with relief and partly in affirmed acknowledgment of the unspoken thought. He quietly said, “Yes, that’s exactly the word I was looking for—humbling.”
Indeed, there is an irony to helping others. It often winds up making the one doing the helping feel much better.
What I did not mention to Sean was that my personal relationship to that comment had been inspired by him less than four months ago.
I was simply recalling the Capital News photographer’s kindness towards me back in October and how his actions have amazed and inspired me.
Last night a fundraiser was held for Sean Connor at the Kelowna Community Theatre.
In reading this today, I am confident the event will have been one of those special nights of friendship, music and sharing that we are occasionally lucky enough to experience.
Based on the energy put into organizing the event by so many volunteers, it certainly seemed destined to be a wonderful night.
It’s the kind of magic that happens when a community rallies together to help another, especially when the benefactor is someone who is known and loved by the community. Sean, as many Capital News readers now know, has been locked in a nasty battle with a brain tumour and while it’s definitely been kicked to the sideline for now, it is not gone for good.
In October, Sean and his amazing and spunky wife Sandra, travelled to Loma Linda, Cal., for proton radiation treatment. They returned late last month.
During their absence, Kim Calloway, Heather McCullough, Randy Zahara and others worked fiendishly to create last night’s fundraiser.
On Wednesday, Kim and I met to talk about the upcoming night and planned our roles as MCs for the evening.
Sandra and Sean joined us—which set the scenario for the above-mentioned shared moment. Sean and Sandra talked about how surprised and pleasantly shocked they have been by the willingness of so many people to give up time and energy on their behalf, amazed by the kindness of not only friends but also total strangers.
Kim and I nodded and shook our heads in understanding. Having spent a lifetime in media work and the entertainment world, we have both been privy to lots of that sort of heart-warming community caring and kindness that Sandra and Sean were just experiencing.
Kelowna may be an odd little town in many ways, and very unpredictable when it comes to holding events, but when it is a cause worthy of support, our town takes a backseat to no one.
So, Kim and I nodded to each other safe in our anticipation that no matter what happened, it would be a night for all of us to remember.
Just like that special night for me back in October.
It was the kick-off night to my city council election campaign. Soon after declaring, I hastily organized the rally night at the Grateful Fed and sent out a general email and Facebook invitation.
With such short notice, I was not expecting a large gathering. I was correct in my assumption.
Around 30 people popped in and while the numbers were not big, the quality of people and genuine interest of the supporters was encouraging and heartwarming.
It was two hours into that dark, rainy evening when inspiration walked in the door in the forms of Sean and Sandra.
I knew Sean was not well, facing a tremendous battle, and on the way to California the very next day. I had never stopped to imagine that, on his last night in town, he would drag his weary body and mind out to my little event. When I fussed over him and told him how surprised I was he just blushed. When I started to give him a lecture about how he should have stayed home to rest up, he put up his hand to stop my babbling and said, “Charlie, there was no way I was leaving without wishing you the best. It’s the least I could do for a friend.”
That moment will stay lodged in my memory forever. Sean had all the reason and justification in the world to stay home—warm, dry, and rested—the night before his journey to hell—but he was there to support me.
Last night was simply a chance for me, Kim, Heather, Randy and the rest of the folks in Kelowna to say to Sean and Sandra Connor, “We love you and thanks for being you.”
