Archives at Zinester: "Dreams do come true". "I Believe in You!".

by Bob Perks

I knew her but had no idea what she looked like. I loved her because he did. I
had an image of who she was etched in my mind because of how he described her.
She was a character in a book, sometimes fictional, more times real. Millions
adored her. I was about to meet her and I shook from head to toe.

It wasn't until later in life that I discovered books. I had made it through
most of high school faking book reports by reading the first, middle and last
chapter of "required reading." My gift to "charm" my way through life, as one
teacher told my parents, also helped me to write about books I didn't read.

As I reflect back now, it was a sad fact indeed that I did not experience the
joy of reading the works of the greatest minds in literature.

But today I find my spot on the couch next to the lamp in the living room, well
worn and comfortable. It is there that he and others have taken me on journeys
around the world and deep within my own being. It was there that I first met
Bette.

It was through this author's writing that I discovered that a man could honestly
credit his wife for his success in life and in doing so expose the real strength
in a successful, loving relationship.

"I have shared both hunger and wealth, pain and joy with the woman I love by my
side..." he wrote.

Most men stand too tall on their inflated egos and macho images, to notice that
standing next to them all along was the woman who provided the strength he
needed to arrive at that moment. But woven in and out of the pages, in an
otherwise fictional setting, were words of love and devotion to Bette. In some
of his books she took on other names, but for those of us who knew this couple
well enough, he could not hide the truth.

I was about to meet her.

We were in Washington, D.C. for the National Speakers Association convention. I
really had not planned to attend this year. But at the last minute Bette was
asked to attend a business meeting involving some of the NSA members. Until
this meeting I had been corresponding with her via the internet. That in itself
was a thrill beyond description for me. It was like having a conversation with
a character in your favorite book. It often times seemed so unreal. And
honestly I was skeptical at times, waiting for someone to pinch me and I would
awaken to reality.

"Ok, Bob," she wrote. "It seems that you and I have chosen the same sessions to
attend. I will meet you outside the last session before lunch. Let's have
lunch together at a table in the back where we can talk. I know what you look
like from seeing your web site, so I will find you."

No, this isn't going to happen. She's an important woman with busy schedules
and friends like Les Brown, Charlie "Tremendous" Jones, Ziglar and Gove. Why
would she have lunch with me?

I entered the room where this last session was to be held. I was 45 minutes
early and very nervous. As people arrived I scanned the room and wondered if
she was there. Surely something must have come up the last minute. I walked
out into the hallway and checked a message board expecting to see my name
written on a note apologizing for having to cancel this meeting.

It wasn't there.

I could hardly concentrate on the presenter as she skillfully shared the art of
creating powerful, magical moments on the stage. I kept glancing at my watch as
if it were a count down for a space shuttle launch and I was on board.

The session ended and my heart raced as I stood and turned to leave the room.
The hallway where we agreed to meet was narrow and packed with people. I
thought it best to go to the end where there was much more room and stood
directly facing the crowd as they exited. It seemed to take forever. I wanted
to shout "Hurry up! Move so Bette can see me!" My good friend Tom Lagana
approached and asked "Have you seen her?"

"Tom, I have no idea what she looks like, " I said.

"I wish well, Bob. I know how much this means to you."

The crowd dwindled down to just a few people. I looked down the hallway and it
was empty. As was my dream.

"You were right, Bob. This would never happen," I thought to myself.

I walked back down the hall to take one last look. Perhaps she was speaking
with someone. I saw Mark Victor Hansen in the audience surely they know each
other. Maybe she is talking with him.

Just inside the doorway stood four people. I couldn't believe it. My eyes
caught hers and raising her hand she gestured "one minute" and politely
continued her conversation with a friend.

Surely there must be someone in your life, an author, performer, statesmen,
business leader, that has had such an impact on you. If so, you understand the
range of emotions that I was experiencing at that moment.
The difference here is, this author had given me life and hope in times when I
had none. I don't mean to imply that he had the power to change my life. Only
I held that power. But he was the craftsman and God was his guide. I believe
he would be the first to admit this.

The other influence, the power behind the author, his strength in desperate
times of personal struggle, the love of his life was standing in the doorway
before me.

"Bob, hello I'm Bette Mandino."

I reached out both my arms and she said "Now don't you start!"

We hugged and laying my head on her shoulder, I openly cried. They say when you
hug someone, be the last to let go. I didn't want to let go. I stumbled for
words as I tried to gain composure. She introduced me to her friend Mike and
even he had tears in his eyes.

I spent the next 90 minutes in a room of close to 2,000 professional speakers,
some of the biggest names in my industry. But I was totally oblivious to their
presence.

This was a moment in my career that I will cherish forever. Bette was a
genuine, kind, loving person who lived up to all that I had expected.

You see, four years ago this world lost one of the greatest writers of our time.
Today I was sitting with the reason he was so great.

Mrs. Og Mandino.

"I shall remember the Ragpicker forever!" for I met the Ragpicker's love!

"I believe in you!"
Bob

I strongly urge you to read any and all of Og Mandino's work. You can purchase
all of his books, tapes and videos by visiting this link. Enter his name in the
search file and get ready for a journey that will change your life forever.