Don’t let disappointments stand in your way. A disappointment is just a bend in the river which lengthens your journey and widens your experiences.

The weeks leading to our big annual event were filled with disappointments. At the last minute the guest speaker pulled out and our second and third choices turned us down. Our first choice hotel was so uncooperative we had to move the event to another hotel that we felt offered lesser facilities. The radio station postponed the dance which was to kick off our event. On and on, the disappointments persisted.

The pressure was on. Not only was this event our biggest annual activity, we had invited a state agency to partner with us by combining it with their quarterly meeting. This meant we would be showcasing our accomplishments for people statewide. This event had to be a good one.

The first disappointment that became a blessing was when we changed the dance into a concert and booked a blind singer/songwriter to perform along with a local performer. Everyone enjoyed the show. Next, the second choice hotel gave us service and facilities beyond anything we had experienced at any other hotel. And our fourth choice speaker should have been our first choice. He did a great job.

But then, unexpectedly as always, disappointment again raised her ugly head as we rounded the bend heading for the finale. The partnering agency did not conclude their meeting in time to participate in our main event. They were scheduled to be first on the program. Fortunately our audience was not aware of this and was likely spared a lengthy lecture as we jumped to the second part of the program. Except for a few out of town guests missing one of the greatest events they will ever miss, every disappointment turned in a blessing that many will never forget.

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