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Azalea Garden Club has program on book

  • Originally published February 8, 2013 at midnight, updated February 8, 2013 at midnight

The Azalea Garden Club met Jan. 14 in the home of Melicent Bryarly and enjoyed an interesting and informative program with the theme of "Bloom Where You are Planted."

The program was presented by member Barbara Skipper, chairwoman of the courtesy committee. Her focus was the New York Times bestseller, "Same Kind of Different as Me," by Ron Hall and Denver Moore. They tell the true story of a unique and totally unexpected relationship between two very different men, from different backgrounds and life experiences, which enriches both through their friendship.

Ron is a wealthy international art dealer driven by material success and having disconnected with his family, and Denver (called Dallas) is a homeless, illiterate black man with a prison record. Their connection began at a homeless mission in Fort Worth where Debbie Hall (Ron's wife) volunteered. As part of his effort to obtain Debbie's forgiveness for an affair, Ron started volunteering at the mission. After meeting Dallas, Debbie pushes Ron to connect with him, and their relationship begins.

This true story shows the power of forgiveness, acceptance and redemption and also reinforces what many of us know and benefit from including these and others:

Be open minded and accept each other's uniqueness.

Passing judgment is not our call.

We are the sum of all our experiences, both good and bad.

Other members of the club expressed thoughts about the story and how it impacted them. They were all glad the program had been presented.

The meeting continued with Francisca Watts, president, presiding. Valerie Parker, treasurer, presented the budget and finance update, and Becky Miller, secretary, read the minutes from the last meeting. After the meeting was adjourned, members visited and enjoyed the wonderful refreshments provided by hostesses Melicent Bryarly, Mary Meredith and LuBeth Sexton.