Sold To The Highest Bidder
A few weeks ago, I spent time in Eagle River, Wisconsin; which happens to be one of my favorite places on the planet. I’ve often referred to it as God’s country with tall pine trees, endless lakes, abundant wildlife, cabin in the woods and snow that sparkles like diamonds in the moonlight. My family and I attended the Snowmobile Hall of Fame celebration and the induction of my Dad and brother’s race team.
The evening’s schedule was packed with an autograph signing session with the inductees, cocktail hour, silent auction, dinner, grand prize ticket drawing, live auction, all ending with the induction ceremony itself. I had learned earlier in the weekend that my Dad and brother’s race jackets would be part of the live auction.
The live auction began as the auctioneer enthusiastically started things off as one by one, items sold. All the proceeds of the auction would go towards the new addition of the Snowmobile Hall of Fame. I was sitting at a table very close to the stage and could see the items that would be presented next. I spotted my Dad’s jacket on deck and felt both excited and nervous at the same time and was hoping someone would want his jacket as much as I did.
The auctioneer held up his jacket and started the bidding; I noticed one of the gentleman helping with the auction raise his arm as if he was staking a claim. Then it happened again….the gentleman was bidding on his jacket. Each time the bid went higher, he countered with his arm, over and over. It was if it didn’t matter how high the bid went…..he was going home with the item. It was fun to watch each time the bid went higher and then the auctioneer bellowed, “SOLD.” The gentleman was the highest bidder and he looked pleased.
Soon after, my brother’s custom-made leather race jackets were up and the bidding started. It was also fun to watch the bid climb higher and higher. In the end both jackets were purchased by one gentleman; the president of the Snowmobile Hall of Fame, such an honor for my brothers.
It was a night of memories, a mix of new stories and old; some I’d never heard and some old favorites. It was another example of how much my Dad was admired, respected and loved. I tried to express my gratitude to the gentleman that purchased his jacket, but since he was helping with the auction I was never able to personally thank him. I learned later he hadn’t really known my Dad, but was a Hall of Fame board member that admired his legacy and told my brother he wanted his jacket regardless of the price. The auctioneer announcing,”SOLD, to the highest bidder,” was like a little gift from heaven.
xoxox…..Sheryl