Vesna Bailey Goes to Washington
A few years ago, an attractive, tall blond woman rather shyly walked into our shop carrying a book under her arm. Her name was Vesna Bailey, and she said that she had written the book as a gift for her son who was leaving for university and wondered if we might be able to sell it in our shop. I opened the cover of "Notes to My Son (Before You Go)", and began to read. I think that I made it through the first three pages before my eyes welled up, and I managed to wipe away the first tear before it ran down my cheek. Notes to My Son was one of the loveliest books that I had ever read. Punctuated with striking black and white images, it contains heart-felt words of wisdom that as mothers, we want our children to take with them through life's journey...as it says on the back cover, "Vesna Bailey has captured those last-minute words that are meant to last a lifetime". Needless to say, we said yes to the book, and Vesna and Treasures have had a rather special connection ever since (we still are one of the only shops in the world that have signed copies of Vesna's books!).
Soon after we started to sell the book, clients were asking for a "daughter" version. The book is so wonderful, that everyone wanted to have a book that they could share with the young women in their lives. Thankfully, Vesna wrote a book for her own daughter, and "Notes to My Daughter (Before You Go)" was born. As is generally true to our sex, "Notes to My Daughter" is a more verbose book, and every bit as beautiful as the original!
The popularity of both books is wonderful, but not surprising. They are wonderful books, and Vesna is a charming, talented and caring woman. She has been donating a portion of the proceeds from book sales to the United Nations World Food Program, which is world's largest humanitarian agency fighting hunger worldwide.
About a month ago, we got an email from Vesna with some exciting news: "My books are taking me to Washington!!"
"On October 5, 2010 Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton will be presented with The George McGovern Leadership Award for her leadership in addressing global hunger. Because of the amount of money I have been able to donate from book sales to the World Food Program I received an invitation to the Award Ceremony and Reception!!! ... and yes, security has already cleared my passport! ... and I know which door to use at the U.S. Department of State!"
Well, Vesna did, indeed head off to Washington, and according to her email,
"...it was an amazing, exciting, and inspiring experience for me! ... and now you can tell your customers that Secretary Clinton received copies of the books as a congratulatory gift from me for her receiving the George McGovern Leadership Award for her leadership in the fight against world hunger. AND, I also gave a copy of Notes To My Daughter to Chelsea Clinton - a belated wedding gift!"
Congratulations to Vesna, and many heart-felt thanks to her for shyly walking through our door years ago! What an adventure that little book has become!
