A True Feel Good Story!
A couple of months before Wesley turned 2 we were out to dinner at one of our favorite spots that we frequent, "No Frill Bar and Grill". It is very kid friendly but also very consistent with great food and service. On this particular evening, an older man was sitting at a nearby table with his wife and what appeared to be daughter and grandchildren. I noticed him get up and talk to a couple of other tables and then go to his car. When he returned, he walked up to our table and gave Wesley a handmade wooden truck. It is a beautifully handcrafted toy and his comment was that Wesley was a well behaved young man and deserved a new truck. At first I thought he just wanted us to "borrow" it during the meal but he also gave us a small note with the truck. We talked briefly and thanked him for his generosity. After they left I was headed to the restroom and another table stopped me and said, "do you know who that was that gave you the truck?" I did not but the couple began to explain...the man that stopped me was a physician and this older gentleman was and had been a patient of his for some time. He is a very well known "name" in Va Beach, owns a great deal of property across the city and actually has a popular road named after him. The physician said that his own children grew up on Mr. Potter's handmade toys and that he is just a very giving person. Apparently he keeps toys in his car and will just go out and grab one when he sees a child that he would like to give one to. We were very, very lucky and Wesley loved the truck. I mentioned that he gave a nice note with the truck. The message was for children to use their imagination at play and to enjoy toys such as these! I was pretty touched by Mr. Potter's gesture and thought it only appropriate to send a thank you letter to him-(his address was on the card). What happened next was unbelievable!
So, on the day of Wesley's 2nd Birthday Party we were running around crazy trying to get ready when there was knock on the front door and then someone popped their head in asking for "Master Wesley". It was Mr. Potter!!! He claimed that Master Wesley had a good secretary to write nice thank you letters and as a result brought Wesley more toys! When I say more, wow...they didn't stop. At the restaurant we got a car. When he came for a visit he brought a bi-plane, a jet plane, a boat, a tractor trailer, another truck and then went out to his car for something else! He brought a handmade wooden step stool that doubles as a seat. It was amazing! He lives a good 15 minutes from us and decided on his Saturday afternoon that he should try to find our house, come visit and bring Wesley more toys for no apparent reason! It was really a huge surprise and one of the nicest gestures we have experienced. Luckily my mom and dad were here and my father snapped a couple of photos with Mr. Potter. He is a true gentleman and a heck of a woodworker. Wesley plays with his wooden toys often and we will have them forever. Lets just say that Mr. Potter has been added to the Christmas card list!
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