09 May, 2022

I was at Nestle, USA in 1999, when I met one of the nicest, most gracious individuals I’ve ever had the pleasure of having as an external resource vendor, Anne Moore of RGS Printing. I had done a number of printing projects with her company and while it’s quite common for client / vendor relationships to evolve starting out (of course) as mutually beneficial business affiliations, it’s pretty rare that really meaningful friendships develop beyond that scenario.

On my birthday in 2000, Anne presented me with an amazingly beautiful gift and a card. It happened to be the Year of the Dragon in the Chinese New Year, and when I opened the gift box, I was totally blown away because the box contained not one, but two beautiful Lalique Frosted Glass Chinese Dragons!! Jodie, I was left speechless and when I was finally able to put a few words together, began thanking Anne profusely!!

I then opened the card….”The Year of the Dragon….most auspicious year. Filled with a new job, new challenges and new friends. Wishing you all the happiness this year can bring. I’m so glad to be your friend. Happy Birthday Skip!” Anne

I was flabbergasted by having received such an amazing gift, and even more touched by sentiments expressed in the card, so much so that I placed the card in the glass frame you see featured in the photo. (smile) Wait….it got even more amazing. I commented that both of the Dragons were awesome, but that I would’ve been extremely happy to have received just one of them, particularly as I knew that Lalique pieces were not inexpensive.

Anne then smiled and said that when she was trying to determine which of the Dragons she liked more, she was unable to make a final decision….so she gave me both!! I couldn’t believe it Jodie, I was the beneficiary of a woman’s indecision regarding a crystal piece for the second time…the first time that happened was when Rita gave me the Owl & the Peacock!!

Speaking of Rita, I need to mention that the oval shaped piece you see placed between the Dragons is a piece Rita presented me with when she returned from a trip to Japan (I think). Naturally because of its overall appearance I felt it would be very cool to place it with the Happiness Dragons and the resulting visual I think is so very nice!!. (smile)