When I was a little kid, sometimes things were awesome. Sometimes, they weren't. But, no matter what kind of time it was, there were a few things I could count on. Some of those things happened to be on TV. They were Mr. Rogers' Neighborhood, Reading Rainbow, and Star Trek.
In 2003, the year after I graduated high school, thereby finishing up some of the worst years of my life, Fred Rogers died. I had always wanted to write him a letter about how much he had meant to me but I missed my chance.
I resolved to write a letter to LeVar Burton. I wrote it. I printed it. I even found the address for Mr. Burton's agent. But, I never sent it. It's in a box somewhere, still packed up from one of the seven or eight moves I've made since then.
This weekend, I had the chance to see Mr. Burton in person. I paid to get my picture taken with him. I shook his hand, turned to the camera, and smiled. The camera flashed and I was still seeing spots when I exited the photography room and realized I'd missed my chance to say anything to him. That's when I burst into tears. The whole experience was too overwhelming for me. All of the sudden, I felt like that same little kid. I felt like I had no control. I felt like I was at the mercy of every other force in my life but my own will. I couldn't even get my mouth to say in one sentence about how much he had meant to me.
I walked out into the sunshine and got a grip. I was at a Star Trek convention. I was doing something really cool. I just had my picture made with an awesome guy I'd always admired. I was standing next to the awesome guy I'd married. I wasn't a little kid. I was a grown-up and this was my day.
A few hours later, while we were sitting at a picnic table during some downtime, Mr. Burton happened to walk past. Without thinking, I stood up and said, "Mr. Burton, I'd just like to say that Reading Rainbow meant the world to me. Thank you." He said thanks and walked away. I sat back down and looked at my husband.
"I did it," I said. "I didn't miss my chance."
But, you don't have to take my word for it:
Yay! I'm glad you finally had this opportunity! This post made me smile. :)
ReplyDeleteThanks! I'm glad it made you smile!
DeleteCongratulations on saying what you needed to say! I always get tongue-tied around famous people whom I admire. You did it and lucky you had the second chance to do so. It's a great photo. You look really happy.
ReplyDeleteIt was totally overwhelming and I'm SO surprised the photo came out as well as it did. I don't look half as petrified as I felt.
DeleteSee, it is good that you were outside and the photo shoot for him was over when you got your chance to speak to him and took it. Because even if you had said something to him inside the photo room his own eyes were probably so full of darn spots from the hundreds of photos he was having to be in, that he wouldn't have really been able to see you exactly. He would have heard you and that would have been cool. But this way outside, he walked by and you spoke and he could see you and hear you. Guess what I am saying is I am glad you were finally able tell him since it was important to you. You probably made his day too, with your beautiful, bold, and sweet self! <3
ReplyDeleteAwww! Thanks!
DeleteI LOVED Reading Rainbow and watched it every day! How cool that you got to meet him and tell him that! :-)
ReplyDeleteYes! It was amazing!
Deletemany years ago I was a taxi driver in Pittsburgh. I had the great experience of picking up Fred Rogers and his son in my taxi and taking them both to the airport. He was such a super nice guy. Like yourself, I did remember to thank him for the hours of entertainment he gave me as a kid. I never forget that meeting.
ReplyDeleteOh wow. What an amazing experience. He always seemed like a legitimately nice, caring person. What a wonderful example for us all. How great that you got to thank him!
DeleteNow THAT'S awesome.
ReplyDeleteReading Rainbow meant the world to me too. It was my happy place in what was often a stormy existence back then. My love of books grew stronger. My love of stories grew deeper. And now I'm a writer, which is no small coincidence. :)
I completely understand and empathize. My love of Reading Rainbow and Mr. Rogers' Neighborhood made me a better person--and a better reader and writer.
DeleteWell Ms. Ashley Rose, you were Marion's first story time librarian, and I want to thank you so much for giving her the love of songs and stories. Had I known you were so much into Star Trek, we would have had much more conversations. Just wanted to let you know that Marion now sits beside me to watch TNG on BBC America. She knows the intro music and the "Rocketship" Enterprise (all spaceships are rocketships to her right now.)
ReplyDeleteThank you so much, Eric! I miss all of my kids so much and it's so good to know that you all still think about me from time to time! Some of my fondest memories are watching Star Trek with my parents. Sounds like you're raising Marion up right!
DeleteOh! I think we were at the same convention! I was also overwhelmed at meeting my childhood heroes - it was surreal. I wrote about my day here: http://imagintana.com/2013/02/20/star-trek-master-class/
ReplyDelete