THE GLORIOUS AIRING AND AFTERMATH

This is me.  The perfect representation of the incredible disbelief combined with unadulterated joy as I realized I was at Oprah's Hot Picks for Summer show.  A Favorite Things show: summer edition.  I had dreamed for 20 years about going to the show.  I had watched many Favorite Things Shows filled with envy and desire.  I wanted simply to see Oprah.  To visit her show.  A Favorite Things show seemed too good to be true, yet it came true.  I blogged about it in great detail in my last blog entry, so no need to go down that path again.  

Now to the airing of the show.  What would that feel like?  To see the televised version of one of the happiest days of my life.  Could it live up to my memories.  Spoiler alert - YES!  It could.  It did.  

My mom brought the cider.  Longtime friend Barb Scira arrived around 3 pm;  Friend since kindergarten and present day colleague, Shelley,  arrived with another teacher, Carrie, around 3:45.  They brought a cookie cake that was frosted with the epitaph "FIRST OPRAH; NEXT THE OSCARS."  I tried to cut and distribute to keep my mind off the upcoming show.  I wanted Molly and Karen there, but they were no shows.  Was this ordained because I wasn't even going to be seen once in the audience?  Why have any doubts or disappointments? Nothing could diminish my experience. Besides, my YaYas were there.  One in person, two via text and cell.  Kimberly Staples and Lois Brady are riveted to their sets in Georgia and New Hampshire, respectively.  They have supported and encouraged all my dreams, not just this one, so now I must sit down.  Every settle in - it's about to begin.  It does.  I can almost touch the excitement.  I am reliving the thrill.  

Oprah starts the show.  I feel the anticipation as if I am experiencing it all anew.  Oprah makes the fabulous announcement of the show's topic; the one that brings the crowd chaotically to its collective feet.  I relive that exhilaration, that joy;  and then it happens.  There is a close up of a screaming blonde.  It's me.  I get to see my feelings acted out.  No, not acted.  They are real.  Raw.  It's incredible.  I'm screaming NNOOOOOO!!! As in no, I can't believe this dream is real.  It's beautiful.  They showed me.  The dream is getting even better.  Friends start to call.  My sister, Kerry, first.  We just shout into the phone with joy.  My friend Karen calls at every break.  She is there with me after all.  A student who did not know I was going to be on is randomly watching and calls.  Later come many emails;  my favorites from my former students, from the early 1990s, who REALLY get what this means to me.  I get to celebrate later at a middle school dance with many students who watched and cared.

I'm sensing my incredible lack of ability to convey what this all felt like.  These are just facts; words laying on this blog.  Not alive like the experience.  I can't do better than this because the words can't be full enough or big enough.  I did feel bad my husband did not make it on screen with me in that first close up. I never imagined I would see myself again, and thus my husband....yet that happened.  We are on at least 5 times.  Cheering, clapping, hugging, staring at each other incredulously; waving vigorously to Donald Trump. I mean, the experience was enhanced because Brian was there, and we are both shown enjoying it over and over!  Those who watched, and the two of us, got our money's worth.  Those who missed?  Well, I have shown it on DVR and on video dozens of times already; and am ready, willing and able to do that some more!!