I'm the leader of the Lively TOPS (the weight loss group Taking off Pounds Sensibly).
When we started planning for our 50th TOPS anniversary, which was in February, I phone Northern Life and asked if they would write an article in the paper for us.
I thought that it would be great for our little town of Lively to be recognized, as we are international with headquarters in Milwaukee.
The man I talked to said he didn't think anyone would be interested enough. I call again and talked to a lady and she wasn't really interested in talking to me.
So, when I received a call from Carol Mulligan, I was overjoyed. I had never met Carol, but had faithfully read her many articles in the paper and really enjoyed them.
When France Gélinas called Carol and told her she was to be a guest at our 50th TOPS anniversary, Carol talked to her boss about writing an article, and he finally consented.
Carol and I talked on the phone for over an hour and sh was even going to come out to Lively in the fall to have a program for our meeting night.
Then she wrote such a beautiful article about me. I could hardly believe it, after only talking for the first time. It was such a pleasure to have talked to her, as she sounded like somebody I'd like to have as a friend.
I'm so very sad as I write, as I've heard from so many people that knew Carol as such a wonderful lady, and I was really looking forward to maybe being lucky enough to be able to call her my friend.
I wrote a letter the editor thanking the paper for doing two articles for the Lively TOPS.
Once again, I say thank you. It gave me a chance to get to know Carol a little better, which was a pleasure.
I read this and it made me think of Carol and going to bat for me and my TOPS chapter.
A simple act of kindness has a beauty all its own.
Evelyn Cole
Lively