Hello Monk (and Den Family),
While it doesn’t happen often, I am truly speechless from the outpouring of support Rick and I have received from the Den after my note to Monk this morning. Please know that I hope to answer the many, many responses either publicly or privately within the next few days as my time becomes more available. It is the least I can do.
Monk…what can I say? You are truly special, and I will share that upon reading your response to my post, my first thoughts were (and I hope some of the ladies of the Den can relate)… “Wow! I need to start cleaning my house” and “I wonder how fast I can I lose 30 pounds”! Haha! Just want to be at our best when we finally get to meet you! Like it or not, you have been elevated to hero worship status in our eyes (and many others, I am sure) and while we plan to take you up on your offer, we WILL pay for your trip and lesson. It could never be as much as you deserve, but what we learn will be paid forward many times over. It is what we are good at and love to do for others. You will be happy to know I really listened to you when you told us to buy CDIV, and although I only joined the Den in January, I started buying when CDIV was selling at 3 cents per share, so I am very comfortable in knowing everything will be fine for us in the near future.
I also have to share that when I wrote to you, it was simply to let you know how much respect and admiration Rick and I have for you, and I wanted to also let you know how important you are to so many people. Your quick responses never fail to crack me up because I simply cannot keep my words short and simple. Not to worry when you meet us, though. Rick has a look he gives me when I can’t stop talking, very similar to the pens you throw! It is effective, and we laugh as much as I am sure your pen recipients laugh when you toss one their way. It never occurred to me to let Rick know I wrote to you or posted it in the Den. I started telling him about it while he was paper trading the F’s and as I began reading the many responses to him, he began to lose more and more money! Thank God he was paper trading! He just could not believe that his life would be of any interest to anyone. Monk, YOU are the one that is such an inspiration to us all…a great teacher, a great leader. Rick had to quit trading so he could fully comprehend the wonder of today. While it is difficult for most to imagine how hard his life is, we know many others in his situation who are not as fortunate and who do not have the emotional support that is so vital in getting through the day. We are so grateful that we have so much support from so many. It is difficult for Rick to be on the receiving end… like the rest of us, he has so much more fun when he is the one giving. While he still can’t get over your generosity, I know he will work hard to master the charting basics while continuing to increase his strength and stamina so he will be at his best mentally whenever you arrive. I couldn’t be prouder of his accomplishments and know in my heart the majority of his improvement is directly related to your hard work and all you do for the Den family. Thank you again, Monk. It is as if Rick already has a new lease on life. I am very grateful, but I guess as you can tell, not really so speechless! We will wait to hear from you at your convenience, no pressure. We have a lot to learn before your visit, and I know Jacki is more than willing to help us out as always. We won’t let you down.
To the rest of the Den family, special thoughts and prayers are being sent your way to thank you all for your thoughts, kind words and offers of monetary help. I mentioned in my post today that we own a refinishing business, but what I didn’t mention is that we do not refinish household furniture, we refinish church pews! Rick runs the shop, I run the office, handle sales and marketing, and our employees accompany me on tear outs and installations. About a month ago, we picked up a large job in Indianapolis (too late for me to attend the Monkinar), and it was the answer to our prayers as far as helping to get back on our feet and putting our employees back to work. While I very much appreciate the kind offers of help, as we all know, there is never a lack of need during these uncertain times. It would thrill us to no end if any of you would think about making that same contribution to your own favorite cause or even using those funds to first buy CDIV at these bargain rates and then contributing after the squeeze. As I mentioned, I hope to respond to each of you personally, but since I will be running back and forth from the shop and home these next few days, I didn’t want any time to elapse without putting into words how wonderful I think this Den family really is. Here’s to Monk and the Den! May you all continue to bring out the best in every one of us. Kindest regards,
Cindy
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