Miracle at Coco, Early & Associates- Goosebumps for sure! In my most recent post, I mentioned, we have hosted an annual holiday party for the children in our communities, probably touching the hearts and families of more than 10,000 children in total. Well, this one special year brought certainty, magic and emotion to me and others close by, all in one full swoop.070-336 An event that had changed our perpsective on life, forever.brideswhisper Here’s the rest of the story: It was a crisp-cold, Saturday morning, where children and their parents stood lining the halls of Salem High School, in Salem, NH. Eager to claim their opportunity for that one special present they were about to receive. As the children checked in, they were given their one raffle ticket that dictated the present they’d receive.The excitement mounted as the clock ticked closer to noon. Then finally, the doors flew open and the masses pushed through like a Black Friday bargain at Walmart for a free flat screen television. They clamored for that one special seat, upfront, close to the action, close to the gifts. Our sales agents, eager and full of excitement as well, escorted them to their seats and ensured everyone cozied up to their closest neighbor as possible since we could only seat 700. Once everyone was seated the bell finally rang and Santa arrived as we played the “Here Comes Santa Claus” song. Invitng him to make his way to the children waving and bellowing, “Merry Christmas, Merry Christmas!” to everyone. The children roared in disbelief, “Is it him, is it really him?” Once Santa and the Grinch were no longer center stage, the true Christmas magic was about to be felt. The raffle of all those presents! Who would get what? Luck of the draw, some would say. Of course, the eyes were on the crown jewels; the computer, the x-box, the bicycles, the karoake machines… Our agents, standing in an organized line, would hold up the next gift to be raffled. The ticket was then pulled from the box of 700 or more. For example, the game of Monopoly would be held and a raffle ticket bearing a number would be pulled from the tin cannister. At that point, I would call out the number and the agent would run to their table hootin and yelling “you won, you won”! Sitting atop, this not so steady swaying ladder ten feet from the floor, I would echoe the winning number several times through a blow horn, into the crowd of eager children.642-832 Well, during the parade of maybe sixty to seventy presents already delivered, I noticed a young boy, maybe 5 or 6 years old, making his way towards me from the rear of the room. Amongst all the havoc, all the noise, I sensed a quieting calm, a directive, a notice of this little stranger depolyed to my ladder. Once he arrived, I leaned from the top stair of the ladder and said, “hello”. With a sincere confidence, he looked up, smiled and said in the softest voice, “that’s mine”, as he pointed to the next

present being held by the agent. It was a skateboard. Oh, I thought, how perfect for him, he was the right age, the right height and such an honest face. I started to feel bad, because I knew the chances of him getting that gift was 700 to 1. No problem I thought, I would run out and pick one up for him after the Christmas party. He stood there so patient, so expecting, waiting as the number was pulled from the cannister. I still remember the last three numbers, 333. I sadly called the number out to the crowd, hoping no one would claim the present, and in that moment, he raised his right hand, went into his left, coat-pocket trying to find his ticket. He then handed it to me. The number was 333! I fell from the last step, embraced this young boy and graciously walked him over to his dad with tears of emotion running from my face. How did he know, how did he know? I feel we were blessed that very moment, something or someone much greater than this world whispered with precision into this childs ear.brideswhisper.com He was all the proof I needed to know that miracles are real. Have you ever experienced one? 70-480 Blaise J. Coco Chief Executive Officer Coco, Early & Associates Cell # (978) 375-4345 CEA Office # (978) 687-8484 x117