Simple Smile

When I was a child. I used to be fascinated with figure skating. I don't remember ever being vocal about it. If I was flipping through channels and saw a show on...I would constantly come back to the performance.

Secretly, I wished I could do some of those spins. I was particularly fascinated with the up beat routines. I wanted to be that beautiful or lively. I wanted to feel the power of a twist or the flip.
Since I couldn't do that, I always wanted to be in the crowd watching the show. I wondered how much cooler it would be to be there and actually see them.

The funny thing is I never told anyone. I am sure my parents saw that I enjoyed it but that it was one of those personal dreams that I just kept and never thought could or would ever be realized.

Well, the other day I was sitting in my living room with my roommate. I came across a figure skating show. For the first time ever, I told her my secret childhood dream. I sort of laughed about it as I told her.

Well, this roommate travels 4 days out of the week and is currently in D.C. for a project. For this week she had to work over the weekend and asked if I wanted to come out and hang out. I get a free airflight and hotel room (paid by miles and her company) and I got to see some friends. Sounded good to me. So...off we went.

After it was all arranged she informed me that I was getting an early Christmas present. It turned out she was taking me to a figure skating show. I was so excited. I couldn't believe she first of all was actually listening to me when I admitted my secret dream and second that she logged it away in her head as a potential gift.

I was excited but figured it was just a low priced show. I didn't think there were going to be any big wig skaters.

I walk into the Verizon Center in D.C. and the ring is beautifully decorated with these white diamond shaped boxes...colors shining through them in a kaleidoscope manner. The next thing I know they are announcing that this is being recorded for a TV show to be aired on Thanksgiving day. Not only that but ALL the big professional skaters are here. Scott Hamilton, Kristi Yamaguchi, Nancy Kerrigan.

I got all choked up. Not because the event was all that special or spectacular. Although, I did love it. I got choked up because a dream I never thought would ever happen came true. I am usually a person who dreams of something and then makes it happen. But for some reason, this was left on my shelf of childhood silly dreams never to be taken down and made happen. I could have easily made it happen but never did. But tonight, it came true.

Not only was I watching a Figure Skating performance. I was watching a Televised performance. The very shows I would sit in front of and secretly wish I could be there for...I was getting to actually be there.

It was an enchanting evening...I loved every moment. And it is in these moments that I feel the love of both my friend and God. I don't usually over spiritualize things but I felt the simple heavenly smile that said I pulled this all together simply because I enjoy you. Not because you did anything to deserve it. I knew your childhood dream and I made it happen. I wanted to see your soul leap with a simple joy of being seen and celebrated.