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Adopt A Diamond™
Patience
I’ve been married for 11 years to a very patient man. We had moved to Minnesota so my husband could take a job that was offering more money. I’m disabled due to bipolar disorder.
I suffered a broken wrist on my dominant hand in 2003 that required 6 surgeries. I developed an infection and nearly lost my hand. This now left me also physically disabled. I am left-handed and was in a cast for nearly 2 years. My husband had to cut off my wedding band during one of the many swelling episodes.
We lost our home, van, everything, and filed for bankruptcy. We relocated back to where we were from, and my husband got his old job back by the grace of god. We live paycheck to paycheck. I get my disability checks, and I know I am fortunate to be able to have both my hands and legs.
I feel for my husband’s pride because he knows how bad I’ve always wanted a really nice diamond. To make a long story short, I found this contest online trying to see how to tell a real diamond from a fake because I found what looked like a diamond. So I thought, what the heck, I never win anything. We’ll see what happens.
Thank you,
Reta Quarles
January 9, 2008
Dear Fred,
Thank you so much! I am so very grateful for your generosity! I will forever cherish this precious gem for many reasons. My husband was so proud of me for winning and so thankful to you! He noticed my attention gravitating toward the story as soon as I got off the phone with you, and he knew why. It was that I received two gifts!! We are both just filled with joy over the whole thing.
The fact that you recognized me as a writer has changed me! That is my dream! I write for so many reasons and believe in my ability to someday put my life out there on a shelf to touch the lives of others like me. God Bless You!
Words may never describe how this experience has touched me. I feel I must share with you how I came to your web site to begin with, as I certainly wasn't prepared to buy.
While Christmas shopping at my local Wal-Mart, I caught a glimpse of something sparkling in my peripheral vision in the jewelry department! It wasn't in the case or hanging in the boxes that turn. It was lying on the floor! My heart jumped as I snatched it up like a child would candy. I tossed it in my pocket and went on my way.
All I could think about was, "Oh my gosh, I found a diamond! I can have a ring made now! I wonder if it’s real.” I finished my shopping, rushed home, and hopped on the Internet. I searched for sites that might help me figure out if it was real. I found plenty of information on the web to tell me what I needed to know, but this feeling of what I should do still lingered
It wasn't until I came to the Diamond Cutters International web site that I realized how much my moral compass has been thrown off. It happens to everyone at some point, but what choice you make at that crossroads defines the level of integrity you truly possess. It makes you feel differently inside when you do the right thing. I returned the stone to Wal-Mart.
When I received the call from Fred, I wasn't sure what to think, as things like this don’t ever happen to me. I missed his phone call a couple of times, but we finally connected. I was the winner. This was not happening to someone else, it was actually happening to me! WOW!
Something happened to me during my conversation with Fred. My emotions went from disbelief, to shock, to thrilled, and then all of the sudden there was this sense of calm. With every word that Fred spoke, I could feel the negative words that had always been spoken to me my whole life begin to fade.
What I mean by that is that it wasn't a business call. It was a warm, sincere, heartfelt conversation. I felt that I had gained this new sense of worth. I was noticed and capable. I hope to someday go to college. When I do, this will be a memory for me to reflect on when times are trying and I feel like giving up!
Thank you again!
Reta Quarles
P.S. I would like to be able to stay in touch with you, Fred. I read all of your work on your site, and I just have to say you inspire me in so many ways. Your writing is magical for me.
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