First, my thoughts go out to those dealing with ex-Hurricane Sandy. Stay safe!
Today marks the anniversary of one of the greatest moments of my life.
I'm gonna share a post I made to a board moments after it happened on October 29, 2010:
"So I was struggling between going to a Halloween party yesterday and participating in a live video chat with my idol, Cojo. Well, I figured it out. I had talked with the supervisor who was taking the group to the party, and he said I could arrive later, which was fine with me. That meant I could do both! But as it turned out...I didn't have a ride to the party. All but 2 of my clinical team members were in training, and my friend had had her car stolen TWICE this week...so there went that. Oh, well...
And now, to the moment I'd been waiting for for 4 years! The live video chat with Cojo! It was wonderful! Granted, I need a new headset, but nonetheless. I was honestly surprised that only a few people actually participated, not counting the staff and Cojo. The second I first heard his voice in my earbuds *Had to use my iPod earbuds...Vokle recommended that*, I almost passed out. The whole chat, even though there were others watching, it felt like it was a private show just for me.
The only thing that could be better than watching a video chat with Cojo...is ACTUALLY CHATTING WITH HIM!!
That's right. October 29, 2010...I got to talk one-on-one with Steven Cojocaru.
When he first greeted me, I was like, "WOW! This is actually happening!" He loved the shirt I was wearing. *Red satin, had planned to go as a gypsy to the Halloween party, but we all know what happened with that.* He called me sexy diva! LOVED IT! So we got to talking about how he's been a major inspiration in my life. Ironically...he said he doesn't really set out to be a role model or an inspiration. All he does is wake up and go out into the world with a "Kiss my A**" attitude. Like him, fine. Don't, fine. I wish could get some of that attitude. I asked him about his mom, since she gave him her kidney 5 years ago in a second transplant. He said she was doing wonderfully. So I told him about my mom, who's going through her own kidney drama along with everything else. He was floored when I told him she'd be 91 at the end of November. He said God bless her and to tell her he hopes that she lives to be 150! I was emotional when it came time to say so long. I told him he is awesome as Cojo, but he's even more awesome as Steven Cojocaru. When we cut off, my God...I was shaking, I was sobbing...and yet no tears were coming out. This was just ...the most amazing thing that's ever happened to me. It was like a religious experience cause we all know he's the closest I'll ever get to God. Wow...
The moral of the story...NEVER GIVE UP! Dreams do come true! Don't know when or where...but IT WILL HAPPEN."
2 years later...
My mom passed away on December 7, a little over a month after that chat.
I have such fond memories of that moment. I know some of you are thinking "Big deal. You talked to a celebrity." Or maybe "Who?"
Let me explain: In 2005, I was going through severe depression. Was suicidal for a good chunk of that year. Also, Cojo was going through his own kidney drama, including having 2 kidney transplants. He was the one thing I could count on to make me smile.
Over the next few years, I watched as he made an incredible comeback to the red carpet and TV. I made an emotional comeback as well.
But my world was almost destroyed again in 2009. I found him on Twitter and I admit, I was cocky and went overboard. So he blocked me. I was heartbroken. I lost faith in everything and got back on the depression train.
For the next year, I was looking for just the tiniest bit of hope that would bring me out of it. Then, 2 years ago today, it happened. I got to talk to him and thank him for making me believe I could come out a better person.
OK I'm still working on the "being a better person" thing...but I now believe it's all going to work out for me. :-)
Til next time...
