DaySpring

I thought yesterday would be an okay day. But it turned out to be an amazing day!

In 2007, I retired from DaySpring Cards after working there for 19 years. I have been working part-time for them for the past few months. DaySpring celebrated their 40th anniversary yesterday. There was a program and reception at the corporate headquarters in Siloam Springs, AR. Employees and former employees were invited to attend. Yes, I thought it would be a fun day, but I had no idea what it would be like.

People came from all over the country. I saw some I had not seen in years. Over the 19 years I worked there, I saw many people grow up, get married and have children. Yesterday I saw some of their children as adults with children of their own. As I talked with everyone, it was hard to believe so many years had passed.

At the program, a video was shown reminding of the changes that have been made in the company since 1971. There were pictures of those who have passed away. One of those ladies was my first manager at DaySpring. Many memories flooded my mind as I watched the video and later visited with former employees.

I watched the founders, Don Leetch and Dean Kerns, who started it all in a garage with dreams of spreading the word of God. I observed Roy Lessin who came along-side Don and Dean in the early years to write copy for the cards. They took in all the activities with grace and humility and never once acted like it was about them. My heart was full of love and respect for them.

Twelve years ago Hallmark purchased DaySpring. They understood the impact DaySpring has on the world through the message of Christ and wanted to be a part of that. Don Hall, Jr., along with others from Hallmark, attended the celebration. He was a very unassuming man. I would never have picked him out in a crowd to be the leader of Hallmark. It was encouraging to meet him and be reminded of the impact his family has made on the world. His grandfather started a large company with a dream to sell post cards and never gave up, much like what Don and Dean did.

The day's events were climaxed last night with a concert by Michael W. Smith for DaySpring and their guests. He did a wonderful job. It wasn't like a concert, but like spending an evening with him. He shared his life and his life's work. It was the perfect ending to the perfect day.

I didn't take a camera to any of the events (which is so unlike me). The pictures would mean little to anyone other than myself, and I have the memories etched in my mind to be brought up at any time day or night. After I went to bed last night, I thought of the day and praised God for making it all possible. He called two ordinary men to start a work for Him. And, praise His name, they answered the call never realizing that work would eventually touch billions of lives. (I get weepy just thinking about it.)

Michael W. Smith sang his song Welcome Home. I thought of how this celebration was just like a family reunion. There were so many hugs and screams of joy as we would recognize people who were parts of our lives so long ago. I think that's what heaven is going to be like. As we step on the streets of gold, our Father will say. "Welcome Home". And then He will take us all over heaven to let us see our friends and family members we haven't seen in so long. I think He will watch us and laugh with us as we scream with joy and exchange so many hugs.  Maybe then we will understand what "the exceedingly abundantly more than we ask or think" means.

It's the day after that amazing day, and I say with a grateful, thankful heart "Happy 40th Anniversary, DaySpring! God is AWESOME!"