The wonders of a Gazing Ball…

Twelve years ago, my daughter Audrey and her husband Matthew were living and working in New York City.  Long work hours and days and weeks were more than made up for with the excitement of the City and with Audrey’s position at Donna Karan, a position that came with lots of wonderful opportunities (and beautiful clothing!).

One opportunity was helping with SUPER SATURDAY… an annual “Designer Garage Sale” sponsored by Donna Karan and InStyle to benefit the Ovarian Cancer Research Fund. The Fund was founded in 1994, and its mission is to fund cancer research for early detection and ultimately a cure of ovarian cancer. OCRF assists patients and their loved ones to understand the disease, its treatment, and provide outreach programs to raise public awareness. Since 1998, the OCRF has awarded tens of millions of dollars in grants to the study and cure of cancer research at over 40 leading medical centers in the United States.

Super Saturday is also fabulously fun. (I detailed our 2008 Super Saturday day in the Hamptons here.)  Designers line up their wares at incredibly discounted prices; designers such as 7 for all mankind, Betsey Johnson, Calvin Klein, Coach, Dooney & Bourke, Free People, Henri Bendel, Kate Spade, Kenneth Cole, LAMB Handbags, MaxStudio, Marc Jacobs, Nautica, Donna Karan, DKNY, Nicole Miller, Prada, Rock & Republic, Shoshanna, Ralph Lauren, Tommy Hilfiger, Vera Wang, Victoria’s Secret, Wes + Willy, Vivienne Tam and dozens and dozens more.

(My best score over the many years I’ve attended Super Saturday are 5 pairs of Manolo Blahniks for $250.00 and a Chanel jacket for $50.00.)

In addition to clothing, jewelry, accessories, shoes, cosmetics, and kids’s wear, there are dozens of designer home goods’ booths.  In one such booth is where Barry and I found our Gazing Ball.

The great thing about Super Saturday is that the prices drop dramatically as the day goes along.  (Of course, it’s first come, first served and many items disappear immediately!)  At the opening of the market, Barry and I were drawn to this gloriously HUGE, golden Gazing Ball… so happy and sun-like.  It cost $250.00.

First, we didn’t have any intention of spending $250.00 on a gazing ball; second, we had to cart all of our stuff home in our car.  There was no room for the gazing ball, anyway.

Another pass through the “flea market” awhile later, we noticed that the gazing ball had been reduced to $225.00.  Still beautiful. Still reflecting the gorgeous sun of the day. But, nah.  Still no room in the car.  As the day wore on, the gazing ball price fell in larger and larger increments – $175.00, $125.00.

SO enticing.  But still no room in the car.

I remember that gazing ball so well because as the sun made its way across the summer sky and Barry and I stopped to gaze at it, the gazing ball picked up different colors, different perspectives, different magic.  It drew me in like a child to its magic.

Then, like the magical qualities it soaked in and gave back, the vendor said to Barry and me, “You know this is yours. It wants to go home with you! How about $25.00?”

We made room in the car.

I don’t think Barry and I have ever owned something that brings as much happiness to a yard, a garden, a home.  Our Gazing Ball comes out of the garage each spring, placed where everyone can enjoy it.  It soaks in the sun, the colors of the flowers, the blooming green world, our home and each person who comes into its sphere… and gives back.

It gives back everything.  Like great gifts.

Barry and I took our Gazing Ball out yesterday, to celebrate Easter, to celebrate spring, to celebrate life and reflection and giving…

It’s amazing what lessons that golden ball teaches us about stopping, enjoying, giving.

The vendor was right.  I think the Gazing Ball wanted to come home with us!