Thunderstruck, During the Prayer

Tonight I had the honor of hearing David McCullough speak. What a treat! Mike was invited to a banquet tonight and I was trying to have a good attitude, but instead forsaw a boring night yawning before me: Small talk with strangers, a boring business speech, you get the picture.

So we arrived and were seated and so far, were totally bored as predicted. During the opening prayer it was mentioned that David McCullough get home safely to be with his wife and my head whipped up. WHAT? David McCullough? I experienced a moment of mental vertigo. Was he talking about who I thought he was talking about? I peeked around (still during the prayer--shame on me), and yes! It was THE David McCullough, one of the authors I most admire on the planet! I informed my table-mates that I just might have to rush the stage.
I swiped this photo off the Simon & Schuster site.

Here are the two books I have read and love:

I settled into my chair (and my free dinner) with gusto and was treated to a solid hour of ear candy. He spoke of the need for history to be emphasized in education and how a solid understanding of history gives us a "sense of our life's proportion." I liked that phrase very much. He also said that we cannot go into the future without understanding the past. If we don't know our history, especially that of our nation, we have the world-view of a child: the only thing that matters is right here, right now. He said that was dangerous and all too prevalent. He is an amazing orator, both entertaining and informative. I was in awe of his ability to weave his topic with stories and antecdotes of historical narration. He spoke at length about the Founding Fathers and how education, especially that of history, enabled them to be men of character, bravery and honor.

This is one of my lifetime memories! I didn't want him to stop speaking, despite my uncomfortable seat. Afterwards, I bought a book and he signed it. I told him this was a true pleasure and I was honored to be there. He seemed caught off guard by my unabashed respect because he looked up and really looked at me for a second. Then he responded, "Well that's a true compliment, coming from a youngster."

This is the guy in front of me in line.

And when I saw this picture, I couldn't figure out who it was. Oh no! It's ME! Surely that side of the photo is distorted! I'm sure the image is stretched. I had thought the entire night that I was looking pretty elegant in my velvet ruffle jacket. Mike, seriously. Get a handle on the knack of the phone-cam.

Further proof that Mike has no talent for the phone-cam. We obviously need to practice.

Mike will not stop razzing me about saying grumpily as we drove to the dinner, "I wish we were just going to a movie." Well c'mon! I had no idea that it was going to be surprise-happy-night! I'll treasure this memory for a long time.

p.s. Sky: It was like BookTalk, live! Sweet!