My job as a boxing judge sometimes puts me in the presence of celebrities.
I find it interesting the way people act when they’re near someone famous. Saturday night the fight was on national television. The venue was sold out.
Boxing is an international sport. Saturday’s bouts had boxers from Ireland, Cuba, Puerto Rico, Mexico and the United States. There were flags and chanting.
Celebrities would enter the arena to loud ovations. Fans would clamber to get photos, autographs and even hugs, whether the celebrity was engaging or not. The famous people took ringside seats and huddled together.
I thought to myself what a different existence it would be. It might be fun and it might be a pain in the ass. It was probably both.
Then they asked the crowd for a moment of silence for one of the celebrity’s father who had died recently. The celebrity was sitting directly behind me. When the silence was over, I turned to him, offered my hand and said “God, bless you.” He shook my hand and nodded.
I lost my dad about 15 years ago. I remember what it felt like in the months shortly after it. I know how it feels now.
And I don’t think it would make a bit of difference if I was a celebrity.
My dad has been gone over 25 years and I still miss him.
Mary
“Fans would clamber to get photos, autographs and even hugs”
Wait! Isn’t that what…I…did…with…oh yeah,…YOU! 🙂
I was clambering right back, Forbilicious!
I can’t say that I miss my father. But I still miss my first husband who was taken from me 2 weeks after we married – more than 20 years ago. He was such an important part of my life, we had gone through the loss of our child together a few months beforehand. I also find the missing him from time to time gives me strength….good feelings do that – after all – when you miss someone it is for a reason – my reasons are all good.
As for celebrities – I had the pleasure of meeting Sean Connery and talking to him for about 10-15 mins at a fund rasier a few years ago. The man with the voice that can make panites drop at a hundred paces! It was wonderfully funny seeing men and wimen ‘guffaw’ whilst trying to impress him. I think I had just the right amount of red wine to relax and enjoyed every minute if it – especially the peck on the cheek. Was I happy – hell yes – had my little internal happy dance going the whole time. He commented how nice it was to be able to have a normal conversation without someone being star-struck. I was of course – but I knew there was more chance of holding his attention if I acted ‘normal’. Worked a treat and he really is the sweetest guy!
Celebrties are human too and not immune to the same feelings or emotions as the rest of us. Indeed, like anyone else, it is easier to see that in those that carry themselves with dignity and a sense of normality about them.
“also find the missing him from time to time gives me strength….good feelings do that – after all – when you miss someone it is for a reason – my reasons are all good.”
That is brilliant…
Great post, Tom.
Thanks!