Newsgroup Post From A Friend

Steve at 2:20am:
I wanted to share this with members of the tightcircle.
It's my hope that after you read this you will take a look
at what is truly important in your life.

A month or so ago a police officer in Idaho was shot while
attempting to arrest a suspect for an outstanding warrant.
The suspect pulled out a gun and fired at the officer. One
of the bullets struck the officer in the face. It went
through his cheek and lodged at the base of his neck.
The officer was able to return fire and kill the suspect.
The officer was taken to a local hospital and then later
airlifted to Harborview Hospital in Seattle. He was in
critical condition and had slipped in to a coma. His family,
wife and two daughters, came to Seattle and have been
staying in a hotel. The family decided to remove him from
life support knowing that he probably would not survive.
The day he was about to be removed from life support he
proved everyone wrong. While his wife was whispering to
him he was able to move his head, nodding that he
understood her. The doctors asked him if he wanted to
continue fighting on. He nodded yes. He remains in the
hospital surrounded by his family and follow officers from
Idaho.

We found out that his 16 year old daughter's birthday was
on Tuesday, January 18th. A surprise birthday party was
suggested to the mother. She thought it was a good idea and
that it would, at least momentarily, bring some happiness
to the family in what has been an extremely difficult time.
I was asked about doing some magic for the daughters. I
thought magic would be a great thing and perhaps it would
cheer them up. I called Tom Frank and asked him if he
would be interested in performing at the party. I told Tom
that we might be able to pay him, but I didn't know how
much. Tom said, "Any money that might go to me should go
to the family. I would be happy to perform at no charge."
Tom went on to say, "If I can do anything to help take
their minds off of this tragedy and put a smile on the kids
faces I would be more than happy to come."

Tom put on a great show, doing his cups and balls, linking
rings, coin manipulation and card tricks. He didn't miss a
beat. His timing was perfect, the jokes were well received
and got a lot of laughs, and at the end he received a
standing ovation from the audience (the 2 girls and about 75 police officers). I
can not put in to words how much this meant to the family.
I heard many comments about how great Tom was and what a
talented magician he is. Tom Frank is a good man, a good
father and a good friend. Thanks Tom.

Thanks for taking time to read this. Don't forget those
who are important in your life and remember that magic is
something very powerful that can bring happiness in times
when it seems nothing is good.