Report: CRAZY DAZE!
Running to the airport and cutting my time too close, I met our daughter, Lindey, on the sidewalk of the DFW curb service. She had a wheelchair in hand so I could get through security quickly. I always hate to use the “blind card” unless it can help me with good seats and quick access. That morning I needed all the help I could get; plus, I was not going with my normal traveling partner, my beloved Tony. What a trip–and there is much more.
Sailing through the airport, I suddenly heard people calling, “Mrs. McWilliams! Mrs. McWilliams!”
To my surprise, some of my favorite friends of our son, Connor, were departing for a mission’s trip to the Amazon. They came to greet me and hug me, as did their parents too. It was such fun. With more hugs, high fives and warm greetings, I moved quickly to the TSA agent. While placing my things in the security tubs, a man greeted me by saying, “Hello Gail.” I greeted him like I knew whom I was talking to, but in reality I was clueless.
Assuming my typical routine of meeting a stranger before security and then having a new friend on the other side of my frisking and special X-ray machine, due to my pacemaker, I redressed on the run. With moments to spare, Lindey and I checked into the crowded gate. Soon my young friends sought me out to talk to me once more. I said, “Guys! Let me pray for you.” They did and it was my joy. Then I put my hands out and said, “Your turn to pray for me and my trip to Nashville.” It did not matter that we had an audience watching.
On the ramp way to the plane, Lindey remarked, “Mom. You really are popular. What is next? The paparazzi?” And we laughed.
Sure enough, after a 2 hour non-stop flight and making a new friend next to me on the plane, we arrived in Nashville. Walking into the Nashville airport we were greeted by television cameras and I was interviewed. Lindey was laughing, saying, “One day in the life of Gail McWilliams.”
The anchor man interviewed me about the current cut in budgets, long lines at the airport and TSA agents. After giving him his short interview, he asked, “So what brings you to Nashville.”
I told him about speaking at the NRB and receiving an award. He told me I would be on the evening news in Nashville. As we continued to talk, he asked what I did. Interested to hear that I was an author; national and international speaker; national radio host; and that my first book had the foreword written by Zig Ziglar, he exclaimed, “I love Zig!” One thing led to another. Before I knew it, I was telling my entire story and pointing to Lindey—the result of choosing my baby over my eyes ” that autumn day when the doctor told me I had to “choose between my eyes and my baby.” The whole time the cameras were running. The anchor man asked if he could have his picture with me. I agreed and excitedly said, “I love having my picture taken with famous men.”
He replied, “I am not famous.” To which I quipped , “You will be now.” We laughed while exchanging business cards. Lindey stood amazed.
From the baggage claim to the rental car counter, life moved into the express lane. I laid my debit card down for the car and explained the reservation was under our daughter’s name. The employee of this famous rental service said, “You cannot pay for the car if you are not driving it.” I told her we had a problem.
I calmly, but firmly, said, “Well, I am going to pay for the car. I am blind and my daughter will be driving. However, I can drive, if it would be easier, but I will be paying for the car.”
The rental agent looked at me for a moment and then asked, “May I go talk to my boss?” I assured her that we would be there when she returned.
After some time, Emily, took her post again to announce, “Mrs. McWilliams, we will rent you the car in your name.” I quickly lifted my hand in the air and said, “What a great day! It is my first time to rent a car.” The “blind card” didn’t matter then—neither did my lack of a license.
While walking down the sidewalk outside the airport, we made our way to the kind car dispatcher. He greeted me and I asked his name. “Jillian, what is your best car you have to offer us?” He told me that I could choose from three that were awaiting me. I said, “Are these your best?” He first said yes, and then looked at me and said, “Mrs. McWilliams! I am going to give you a free upgrade.” Oh what a day!
On the way to the car, and choosing what might wait behind door number one; door number two; and door number three, He stopped and pondered his own thoughts for a moment.
“Mrs. McWilliams. I have a sweet deal for you. If you want to pay $10 more, I have some different cars for you.” Intrigued, I asked what was behind those doors before committing me to $50 more. The deal was sweet and Lindey drove out of the rental parking lot, while I offered to read the maps–in our brand new red Infinity! How do you spell favor anyway??
From the Nashville airport, we drove to Franklin to meet with some key leaders from a company Lindey and I partner in. Then, we headed back to the Gaylord in Nashville for the beginning of the National Religious Broadcaster’s Convention. We had lived a full week before reaching our room that night. AND, the hotel manager upgraded our room to one with a terrace patio that overlooked the fountains.
After arriving to our room woman called and asked if she could meet with me for some counseling/coaching for her new outreach and expanded vision. She had heard me speak several years ago in Atlanta at Jack Hayford’s Women’s Conference. She brought dinner to our room, and we all ate on the terrace while we talked. Our pace never stopped for the entire five days we were in Nashville.
The following days were filled with surprise appointments; divine connections; new friends and old ones; negotiating for new radio stations; retelling my dream, vision and story; and much more. A film producer; presidents of large corporations; network owners; general managers and program directors; famous personalities; and behind the scene tech guys filled our calendar. Coffee with two of my enthusiastic cheerleaders–Joni Eareckson Tada and her husband, Ken–was a delight, as we rehearsed the amazing things God had done since last year. I told Joni, “You run circles around everyone while I see better than most.” It left us laughing and in awe of a God who can do the impossible. Large sessions were enjoyed, and two key speakers were from our own backyard in Dallas—Pete Briscoe, one of the endorsers of my first book, Seeing Beyond, and Tony Evans (whose daughter is my friend). Marketing teams; agents; consultants; and publicists engaged us in conversation and provided insights.
The highlight for me was the final day, Tuesday morning, when I was the keynote speaker at the Bott Radio Network breakfast. It was by invitation only, and frontline leaders and generals of the faith were present. People in major ministries to political leaders shared with me that they were impacted by the morning. I was presented with the “Higher Vision” award, and it is quite beautiful. I was humbled by the standing ovation and by all the people who stood in line for an hour to talk with me afterwards. Tony, along with Lindey, were swarmed by people too. Soon we will have my portion to share in a video format from the network.
Sometimes, I feel the pressure of how to write all that happens to me in a day. I do not understand “bored” people. Life has purpose, and His purposes are beyond what any of us can see. God has called me to a “disabled” world—people with NO vision. Those who do have vision need a word of encouragement along the way, cheering them on to new heights–where the sky is the limit!