No matter your political preference or party lines, there is a man whom I dearly love. Governor Rick Perry is one of the nicest and funniest guys I have ever met. He is personable, caring and attentive. IF he could have campaigned for the top elected office one on one with no debates, he would have won by a landslide. People are important to him and conversation is his gift.

I had the joy of doing two events with our Governor. One was a fund raising banquet at the prestigious Fairmont Hotel in downtown Dallas. I was the Emcee and Governor Perry brought the keynote. The second event we shared was in San Antonio for a crowd of nearly 1,000 at a large ranch. The Governor was there to receive the Hope for Life Award and I was the keynote speaker. I decided to not let the Governor know that I had received the same bronze statue the previous year in Atlanta, Georgia!

With each event the Governor and I had dinner together. At the Fairmont, he impressed me with his personality and approachable ways with people. He never met a stranger. As the evening began I took my place at the podium to set up the program.  I addressed him, along with other dignitaries in the crowd and the rest of the audience. During part of the prelude, our own family story was shown on video before the Governor came to speak. When I finally introduced Governor Perry for his time slot, the audience stood to applaud him as he came to the stage. He first came over to me and my husband, Tony. He shook Tony’s hand and kissed my cheek. While the audience kept applauding, he had his back turned to the audience as he took some moments to speak to me. He said, “Gail! Have you tried the dessert yet? It is marvelous!” From there he took his position and the event continued.

I loved his opening remarks after greeting his audience. He turned once more to me and said, as he referred to some lines our young son, Connor, had said on the family story video, “You tell that son of yours that he can be anything he wants to be. After all, he is a Texan!”

After the Governor’s message I returned to the podium to finish the evening. As the Governor left the stage, he was met by his body guards, and they walked around the outside of the ballroom to the back exit. As he walked away, he was waving at me. I only knew this because my husband had whispered from behind me, “Gail, wave back. The governor is waving goodbye at you.”

Without thinking I said, while hitting the podium with my hand, “Governor! Are you waving goodbye to a blind woman?” Everyone began to laugh, including the Governor who was bent over laughing. What a great guy.

Weeks later, the Governor and I shared dinner and the stage in San Antonio. He started the evening by introducing me this time. He said, “Gail McWilliams will knock your socks off.”

Thank you, Governor, for your endorsement, life service, love for people and value of life. I look forward to teaming with you again. Oh yes… Governor Perry, I am smiling and waving back at you. Be blessed my McFriend!

When you choose to look past the horizon… the sky is the limit!