On Sunday October 14, 2007 I went to see Deborah Norville (former anchor on the Today Show and host of Inside Edition for the past 12 years) talk about her book, "Thank You Power". She is absolutely the nicest celebrity I've ever had the pleasure of meeting. She spoke for about 45 minutes, describing the book and the research she has done on the subject over the last couple of years. She sited several experiments and studies and even how gratitude has affected her life.
 

After the talk she signed copies of her book that could be purchased there. She personalized them and wrote a little note, in addition to signing, in each book depending on who it was for. She also engaged every person as they came up and spent a few minutes chatting with them.

When I got to the table I asked if I could have my picture taken with her. She didn't make me lean over the table as is the case at most book signings (if they let you take pictures at all). She stood up, came over to me and put her arm around me for the picture. Unfortunately the lady who took the picture didn't do the best job.
 

She cut part of poor Deborah's head off. As I left the room I looked at the camera and saw what had happened. Needless to say I was disappointed. I didn't want the other lady to feel bad so I waited until she left and went back to the end of the line. When I got up to the table again, Deborah said, "Oh Jim, did you buy another book"? I told her no and explained what had happened. Again, she jumped up and put her arm around me again for another picture. This one was much better and had all of both of us in it.

As I was leaving, I thanked her for being so gracious. Later that night, I remembered that during her talk she had read an email on her Blackberry from someone who had read her book. A lady in the audience asked if she read all of her emails. She said that she tried to and sometimes answered people back. Of course, I had to try my luck. I sent her a short email thanking her for coming to Baltimore and wishing her well on her trip to Chicago the next day. To my surprise I received the following email back from her. With her hectic schedule, how did she remember me? What a woman and a real class act!!

Jim… you are most welcome… and thank YOU for being so gracious!
Best,
Deborah

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I finished reading Deborah's book during the week and had started putting some of the concepts into practice and noticed a change in my attitude. In the book Deborah sited several instances where Thank You Power had helped people. Most of these people had pretty horrific experiences in their lives, like mountain lion attacks, loss of limbs, loss of jobs, etc. On Saturday evening I sent Deborah another email saying that I had finished the book and thought it was great. I told her I thought the book would even help normal people like me who lead pretty stress free lives. I said that I had already noticed a change in my life. I went into a little detail about my 37 year marriage, three great kids marring three great spouses, six adorable grand children, good health, good jobs, etc etc. In less than two hours, she answered back.

Jim,

What a lovely email and since I had a pretty yucky day (still on the road!!), it was a true bright spot. Thank YOU for sharing these wonderful moments with me!

I have a very pretty picture of us from that day which I will send -- if I am ever at a computer with internet connection long enough to send it.

You have NO idea how much your message means!!

Warmly,

Deborah

And being a woman of her word, the next day I received the picture. The email was sent at 2:45 AM.

When I asked to have a picture taken with her, she remembered she had a camera in her pocketbook. She got it out and asked her assistant to take a few pictures. 

Diane and I had made plans to see Dave Letterman in March 2008. In January I happened to remember that Deborah tapes her show, Inside Edition, in New York. I know they don't have an audience but thought it would really be neat to attend a taping. I thought it was a real long shot and didn't know if she even remember me but I sent her an email asking if we might attend a taping of the show. In true Deborah fashion, a couple of days later I received the following email.