Welcome to another chapter of Grateful Heart Monday, where I show appreciation and gratitude for someone or something that’s touched my heart, which for today is for a generous and humble individual named Randy Sutherland.
A few years ago, I had the pleasure of meeting Randy at a men’s coffee group here in Toledo and ever since, I’ve gotten to see how great of a guy he truly is. Always friendly and warm, Randy is such an extremely approachable person. I honestly can’t say I’ve ever seen him yelling or mad at anyone. While I’m sure he’s had his moments like we all do from time to time, I have never seen him acting negatively towards anyone. Rather, he usually just has a genuine smile on this face and offered plenty of good conversation.
I really began to see the generosity of Randy with the several parties he regularly opens his house up to for everyone to enjoy during various times of the year. During the middle of the summer, it’s a garden party where people get to see his ornate talent and skills throughout his beautiful backyard. During the fall, it’s his costumed Halloween parties that have been a huge blast for those who’ve attended. And just after every new year begins, it’s his post-holiday get-togethers where guests get to see much of his exquisite decorating and are treated to a fun bash of treats and foods all around his home.
And speaking of decorating, one of the things I’ve come to really admire about Randy is how he uses that talent every year to spruce up a part of the Wildwood Manor House in Wildwood Park when it’s opened up to the public every December for just over a week for special Christmas tours. Randy is quite accomplished when it comes to his eye for decorating, especially there, often using mannequins throughout his displays. One such display really moved me a few years ago in the great room of this Wildwood Manor home, where he uniquely placed a male mannequin romantically proposing to another male mannequin, something that I felt was a very bold move for this ultra conservative area, and one I really appreciated Randy for doing.
While I haven’t ever had the pleasure of hanging out with Randy one on one, I do know from others that he’s a very loyal and giving friend and someone people really look forward to being around because he’s just that nice of a guy.
Selfless, kind, and caring, I’m grateful to be a part of Randy’s extended network of friends and simply wanted to put a little something out there for someone who I think is rather humble and would never expect anything like this to be written about him. Randy Sutherland is definitely someone who deserves some praise and gratitude for once, which is precisely why I picked him as the recipient for today’s Grateful Heart Monday.
Peace, love, light, and joy,
Andrew Arthur Dawson
