My New Friend

While working the registration counter for exhibitors recently, I made a new friend. This friend stopped by at the most opportune moment in the day. My new acquaintance instantly put a smile on my face and things that I was dealing with just melted away.

As check-in opened, we quickly realized that many of the exhibitors didn’t register their booth staff. Some thought that when they purchased the floor space somehow the system magically knew the name, email, phone number, and dietary needs of everyone who might be working in their booths. Most organizations had one to two booth staff members, but even with so few, it takes time to enter this information for 225+ exhibitors. Then, as the sponsorship levels went up or exhibitors purchased additional passes, there were booths with up to 14 workers (at least that seemed to be the largest number I encountered).

Even if it took me four minutes per person to locate the exhibitor in the system, enter the information, print the badge, stuff it in the lanyard, and welcome the next guest, and even if each organization only had ONE booth worker each, it would take me over 15 hours to accomplish this task. Needless to say, we had a pretty long line, some frustrated people with short tempers, and nothing could be done but plug along with my executive assistant speed-typing skills coming in handy.

As I slogged on, one patient, gracious, kind exhibitor amid the others, sensed the tension in the air and said she could introduce me to someone who could make my day a whole lot better and she’d be back. As I whittled down the line, I caught her out of the corner of my eye.

Enter Theo.

First of all, I couldn’t help but smile when I saw his crazy hair. It went in every direction possible. It was thin and wispy and was an unusual color. He had big brown eyes that melted my heart and his dark, smooth skin was just mesmerizing. When I finally had a break in the action long enough to introduce myself to him, I wanted nothing more in that moment than to scoop him up and go for a walk.

Theo has this amazing ability to calm me down with just a look. His sense of humor is contagious and he takes a lickin’ but keeps on tickin’. My new friend Theo is a Mimbleball. This is a comfort buddy designed to reduce the stress of just about anyone regardless of their cognitive ability or state of mind. You can give him a shake and watch his crazy hair fly, smooth his hair back as if you’re petting a cat and “pop” it up by bopping him from below, and even squeeze him or toss him at the wall. Theo will never leave you, judge you, or complain. He is just there. You can tell him your biggest concerns, share your favorite moments of the day, or tuck him in your backpack and head to the trails.

You’ve got to take a moment to check out these amazing Mimbleballs. Theo has a few friends of varying colors and sizes. Behind Theo stands Julia and her team. Julia has a brilliant and creative mind, and after having interacted with her only briefly during this 4-day event, I am convinced she is “good people.” She cares about the health and wellbeing of others. Who doesn’t feel better when others care about them? And who doesn’t feel better when they care about others?

Thank you, Julia, for the introduction. My granddaughter is now friends with Bimble and Ivie goes to work with me regularly. Theo holds down the fort at home.

Do you have a Mimbleball? Share your story here or send me an email!

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