My Own Personal Concert...

Last night, Phil and I went out on a real date…not with a group of friends…just the 2 of us. We went to dinner at Applebee’s, and then headed for Wabash to see Michael W. Smith in concert at the Honeywell Center. Since we had plenty of time, we took a quick side trip to see my best friend Katy (that name sounds familiar doesn’t it? ☺) We chatted with Katy and her husband Sherm for a few minutes, and then headed back into town for the concert.

Several people we know were there like Todd and Sara and Kurt and Jeanne. Phil saw someone else there he knew. We also were able to take part in something special. Ben Medows (husband of our realtor and former IWU administration) was honored by Smitty (for the President of the United States – Smitty serves on a volunteerism council for W…the Pres.) Ben volunteers with the Salvation Army…mainly their food pantry. He received a special award last night. One of his daughters was taking pictures, during it, and Smitty asked, “Is that your dad?” She replied, “That’s MY dad!” It was really cute.

The concert was fabulous. Although we were in the balcony (2nd row, center and had to trip over all those people to sit down), I felt many times that he was singing just for me. Since this was his Stand Tour, he obviously sang many songs off of that album. I didn’t think I would know many of them (even though I have the album), but realized that the album was loaded into my ipod and I knew most of the ones he sang.

He shared one song/video, which will be released this week. It was written for his daughter who he took to Pepperdine College this fall. Phil said that Smitty was terrible for writing that song and doing the video. It cuts right to the heart of a dad (ok, mom too). Smitty cries thru it every time. He talked about how much of a basket case he was for a week (he couldn’t even get into his studio to work he was so upset). He even said he felt silly because he was SO emotional about it. Needless to say, when the video was over, he was all choked up and said, “I guess I forgot to tell you that you would need your box of Kleenex for this one!”

After intermission, he shared a bunch of stories from his early days. Before he started out on his own, he traveled with a group called Higher Ground. He said they never had a “quiet” evening when they sang. People were always a bit wild. They had people doing cartwheels on the stage, and many other things. The funniest was when there was to be a baptism before they sang. The first man went, and then there was a woman who was a bit over weight. She was afraid of water and afraid of heights. It wasn’t a good combination. The pastor baptizing was in his 70’s and had already discussed with her about how they would HAVE to WORK TOGETHER to make this work.

The church was in the midst of a construction project; so they had a large curtain hanging behind the baptistery and planks to walk on to get to the baptistery. As she got “dunked” somehow the pastor lost his grip on her and she took in a huge gulp of air/water. She got all freaked out and turned on her side, and couldn’t’ get up. The pastor couldn’t get her either. He said that the audience was worried and weren’t sure if they should jump up and help. Finally, the woman was grasping for anything she could find to help her get up. She reached out, and ended up grabbing the curtain. She pulled, and it yanked down…leaving one VERY embarrassed, naked man behind the curtain. He looked for a place to hide, but there was not anyplace to go. He did the hid himself trick, and ended up running off stage for privacy! (I know I don’t tell it nearly as well as Smitty, but we were laughing so hard, our sides hurt!) What a story. He also said that they did not ever end up singing that evening. It’s hard to follow something like that up.

The concert ended (unfortunately), and we headed on home. I thoroughly enjoyed myself. Phil liked it too (for the most part). The one thing I will say is that as I spend more and more time with my husband, I start hearing, seeing, (and learning) all kinds of technical things that make it less of the thrill!

Oh, for my MAC-loving friends…he had 2 MAC computers on stage running samplers. One (according to Phil) ran the drums and base, and the other was the keyboard. This is the first time we haven’t been to a concert without Mel being there. I really missed her. I felt like I should have been able to go hang with her at the merch table or find her backstage with Michael (I think I’m about due for a new picture of Smitty…we have a great one with Phil and I…Smitty in the middle…from NY State Fair a few years ago.)

The kids survived another new babysitter, and did just fine. Last night we had a neighbor girl. She isn’t Sarah, but she did well. We tried out 2 of the most sought after sitters on Saturday. They did really well too…including their rescue effort. Our neighbor (89 years old) was working in his back yard trying to eliminate roots from tree stumps, and apparently couldn’t get back up. While the babysitters were making lunch, they saw him out there on the ground struggling to get up. They went out to check it out and he told them to go find Dan, the neighbor on the other side because he felt they would need a man to get him up. Dan was not home, but his wife came out and the 3 of them got Bob up. He said yesterday that he was pretty sore, and I think his ego was a bit bruised from the “tongue lashing” he took from his wife who had told him not to do that. I think he will be ok.