From the moment I got up this morning I anticipated that the M2B:) highlight of the day would obviously be receiving the 2010 Star Award for Outstanding Contribution to the Arts in Utah. I tried to remind myself that the spirit of my M2B:) required I stay focused on each moment of the day as it happens rather than deciding in advance what was or was not going to be special for me. It’s a terrific theory but on days like today, it’s tough to put into practice. But I tried.
I’m glad I did, because an “unexpected joy” emerged about an hour before the Gala evening began. It was a “black tie” event and so I was trying on my very nicest double breasted black suit with satin piping. Not a tuxedo, but pretty close. Lynne was getting dressed and looked SOOOOOO spectacular in her outfit that I felt almost underdressed. Then I remembered I actually owned a tuxedo I’d purchased twenty years ago and thought it might be somewhere in the storage closet. A few moments later I found it along with a tux shirt, cumberbun, shiny black tux shoes, studs and matching cuff links. Then came the moment of truth. Trying everything on.
Did I mention that I’d bought this tux TWENTY YEARS AGO? I don’t bring that up because styles in basic black tuxedos haven’t really changed that much in twenty years, but the bodies of middle aged, clinically depressed, type 2 diabetics have. There was an anxious moment as I slipped on the jacket and pulled up the trousers. Then came an unexpected “ooooooh” moment. It fit. Somehow little fairytale tailors must have slipped into my house at night and reconfigured the suit to fit me. OR, little fairytale plastic surgeons slipped into the house at night to reconfigure my figure. Who knows these things. Truth is, I didn’t care. It fit. I did the “this fits after twenty years” strut. A cross between John Travolta in Saturday Night Fever and Toby McGuire in the 3rd Spiderman Movie. I know, I know, TOO MUCH INFORMATION, but it was a truly happy moment, and an unexpected one at that. When I modeled my look for the evening for my wife she said, “Wow, you look great” and that was BEFORE I’d put on any of my Hugo cologne so I knew she wasn’t simply reacted to the the aroma.
The evening was wonderful and I was humbled and honored to have been chosen to receive some encouragement and recognition. As I approached the stage I was so happy two things didn’t happen. I didn’t do the tuxedo strut and I didn’t say what was in the back of my mind. Which was, “I’m not sure which is my happiest moment today: Getting this honor or getting into a tux I bought when I was in my thirties!”
4 Comments
LOL! Congratulations on both occasions! It does feel great to fit into something that you thought maybe might not still fit, and what to your wondering eyes should appear BINGO! IT STILL FITS! That is so cool! Wish I could have been there and seen it in person. You’re A STAR! Now when will your star appear in Hollywood!
It Could Happen ya know!
Congrats on all counts!! Thanks for the smile, today!
I have admired (is love too strong a word from a 76 year old grandma?) you since the week-end you spent in LaGrande, OR. at a youth conference. I, with a new video camera followed you around and captured every moment of the day. I walked out to the car with you when you hung your clothes away after changing, and talked about depression. Having been bi-polar, and without you actually saying it, I knew you knew how I felt. The highs were wonderful, but the lows were far too low.
I am so grateful for the talents Heavenly Father gives all of us, and that you have shared yours with the world. As a poet, my day is yet to come. I’m anxious to hear the new CD.
I can totally see you doing the strut, and the funny thing is, I can also see my dad doing it too and it put a huge smile on my face!