I am the Director of Community Relations for the Stockton Heat hockey team of the American Hockey League. A lot of time, I forget the significance of the simple moments because I work for a sports entertainment organization. To me, a puck drop or a zamboni ride or even a fundraiser is just another element of game presentation. To those who select – oftentimes related to a special cause – these moments are once-in-a-lifetime special moments.

My 7 of Hearts moment happened a few years ago. One of my clients asked if I could donate a pair of tickets to a young boy and his mom in celebration of his birthday. For his birthday, all the boy wanted to do was host a blood drive to help out kids like him who needed blood. You see, he had a heart condition that left him very sick and constantly in need of blood transfusions. I told my client not a problem, and also offered to give him a ride on the zamboni during one of the intermissions. It was “just” a zamboni ride, not a big deal. But to his family, that night WAS a big deal. It was a chance for him to spend time with his family, have a special adventure, and even meet the team mascot. He was so happy and wanted to share each moment of the night with his mom. He was such a humble kid, so grateful and said thank you and hugged everyone who had helped him that night.

“We each have gifts and may not realize their impact…” A simple moment for me was a huge moment for him and his family, but it’s a memory that I will carry with me forever.

Tonight at Brad and Lauren’s wedding reception I will give them a 7 of Hearts card inside a copy of Significance in Simple Moments. Brad and Lauren are colleagues of mine. I watched them meet, become friends, fall in love, and become a family. I love each of them individually and admire them as a couple. They made a difference in my life by being my friend. They helped me paint my house before I sold it. They save me a seat at happy hours. They ask for my thoughts. They are interested in my life’s story. They smile and hug me when we greet one another. They treat me like I am one of their best buddies.

But I am old enough to be their mother. They make a difference in my life because they respect me for my place ahead of them in life’s journey. They do not cast me aside in an attempt to hurry along on their own way. And I am forever grateful and delighted that our paths have joined for the simple moments that we share.

I am pass this card on to Rachel for making a difference and helping our WFG partners with the back log of work due to record breaking volumes.

I’m sharing this with Matt as he made such an amazing, humbling and inspiring call to me. While some may think of it as simple thing – it was the most significant moment for me for the day, week and probably month (if not longer). You never know if you make a difference, but Matt helped me feel as if I was – and we all need that sense of accomplishment and significance. Thank you Matt, for your call, sharing your time, talents and heart with me and all the others you share with.

Bart loves the students. He makes significance in simple moments with a high five and smile down the hallway each and everyday. The students know that he cares and that makes a difference.

I’m a Corrections Officer and most of the time it’s easy to feel like you make no difference in a positive way. But if you look at the simple and small moments there is significance. I am in charge of our Jail inmate programs. I wanted to get a proper Native American drum for our drum group. This group is very popular, well attended, and very meaningful to the men who participate. Our old drum was a cheap, poorly made drum and falling apart and cracked. I reached out into the community and got a real ceremonial drum that had been hand made. The day I revealed it to the guys, I knew they’d be happy but I had no idea. The looks of joy on the faces sitting there in jail stripes were priceless. One of the main leaders even began to cry. The group played/sang a song of gratitude for me and I still get thanked for providing this one small thing. If I do nothing else in my career I know for a minute I made 16 men happy and the drum will continue on impacting all the lives of the people who attend the program and participate in the ceremony.

We hold quarterly training for our staff. I was so touched by the story that i donated to receive a book and cards that i could take back to the office. We decided that we wanted to share the story of the 7 of hearts. Our staff is so warm and considerate of our clients. They are always doing the nicest things. I wanted the opportunity to offer this experience to them all.