A CAPITOL FOURTH: THOUGHTS ON THE FIFTH

I totally missed the call letting me know that I didn't have to be at the venue until 6:30. My dad always says "You never have to make up an excuse for being early", and early I was--by about 4 hours. 

My daughter drove me to the hotel at around 3 PM. 

It didn't make sense to go all the way back home, considering how unpredictable traffic can be in the city during special events, so I decided to treat myself to a salad at the hotel restaurant. 

My sister arrived about an hour after I did. I was happy for the company. I think the waiter was feeling sorry for me sitting there all alone.

Lori and I took advantage of the offer to have our makeup done by the artists on site, got dressed, and took the shuttle to the venue. 

It was hot outdoors, but not unbearable. 

In the tent was a set of very comfortable patio furniture, lots of water, fruit and other goodies, and a steady stream of nice people. 

Vickie arrived and we stayed in the comfort of the tent until it was time to accompany David.

The atmosphere was so pleasant--and the Chinet paper plates made nice, sturdy fans. Someone from catering brought out jumbo shrimp and red peppers on skewers, and I broke my usual "no food before singing" rule. 

One of Gladys Knight's musicians brought me a paper plate on which he had written "Second Baptist Church". We all got a big laugh out of that. We did look like church mothers, sitting under the tent fanning ourselves...lol...

Reba McIntire's band members were friendly, too, and everyone made sure to exchange facebook, twitter, and other contact info in case our paths ever cross again. 

Another nod of approval from Jack Everly was so humbling.

David was milling around in his unassuming way. 

The way he carries himself, no one would ever know who he is. 

There were a handful of students from Virginia whose teacher is a member Washington Choral Arts Society. Because of her, they had a chance to participate in the event. David definitely made their day. People don't have to be nice, but it's so refreshing when they are. David had done such a great job singing the National Anthem, and he could have very well gone into his trailer and stayed, but, to his credit, he didn't, and stopped to take pictures or chat with anyone who asked.

The stage director came to get us from the tent as Darius Rucker started his set. Even some of the crew were singing along backstage to "Proud to Be An American". 

We were reminded that there would be a tribute to the music of John Phillip Sousa performed by the NSO, and then we were to find our marks on stage. 

Jimmy Smits introduced David. 

Maybe it's the teacher in me, but I remembered the feeling I always had when one of my students had to recite a poem, give a report, or present their artwork. There were times when I couldn't directly help, but silently rooted for them to do well. 

I knew my own issues with fear of rejection, and I always wanted my students to feel as if someone in the room was listening and actually cared. 

We complain so profusely when young people mess up. Too often they aren't encouraged when they do well. 

David is certainly no novice to performing in front of large crowds, but in my head I kept repeating, "You can do it. You'll be just fine. Just sing". 

There were sprinkles of that tell-tale hysterical, "Oh my god" teenage shrieking going on as he spoke, that let me know there were young ladies in the crowd who probably wouldn't have cared if he had just stood on stage like a statue and stared at the sky! 

As he'd done in rehearsal, he smiled and just sang his heart out. When he hit that last high note, all I could do was smile. 

He was done. 

We were done.

After it was over, as moms do, we let him know how proud we were. We were very glad to finally see him eating something, too. Once again, someone left us a nice reminder of it all on YouTube.

Sometimes you meet people, and after you do, you're so, so sorry you did. I can honestly say that pleasant vibes were hovering over "A Capitol Fourth". 

I'm also happy to have heard authentic singers whose live performances don't make you suddenly look at their recordings as some engineer's science project. 

I want David to be like Gladys and Reba--still wowing audiences for years to come. It was a privilege to meet him. Not only is his future bright, but so is his present. I hope and pray that those tasked with the business concerning him will always remember that a human being is attached to the voice. I hope that, in their continuing efforts to promote him, they remember and respect the standards by which he lives. 

Far too many entertainers are sold the lie that certain destructive behavior is a part of the territory on the road to superstardom. Far too many burn out, find themselves in trouble, or sadly, die too soon because they embraced a lie. I want to grow up and be an old, old, old, old, woman and turn on whatever technology will serve as television in the future and applaud an older, wiser, prosperous, even more vocally satisfying David Archuleta.

Did I say that "A Capitol Fourth" was great? 

Gladys Knight was absolutely fantastic. Reba McIntire did not disappoint. Lang Lang was remarkable. 

It just reaffirmed that we have so many gifts and talents in the world to please every palate --and enough room in our hearts to celebrate them all.

I was sure I would want to go home early, but I stayed until the last of the fireworks reached the night sky. 

It seemed surreal to be standing on the stairs with people I'd only seen on television. There we all were admiring the display, and then I think reality struck--we were all going to be trying to get to our various destinations through a maddening maze of vehicular and foot traffic --at the same time.

The usually 3 minute ride from the venue to the hotel took a half hour, then another ten minutes to the parking lot. Clearly, most of the traffic was not heading south, and once we made it to the 3rd Street tunnel it was smooth sailing. As we rode through the city it was obvious that every law concerning the use of fireworks in DC was being broken all over the place. All across the sky were bursts of light that rivaled what took place on the Mall.

When I got home, I watched "A Capitol Fourth" the way I thought I would have this year--from the comfort of my bed. I got to see what others saw, and realized that my perception wasn't based on being there. It WAS great. When I got settled at home, I also listened to the pops, cracks and explosions going on in my neighborhood that lasted until well after 2 AM.

I thought about my week and how much fun it had been. Somehow, I wasn't nearly as aggravated by the incessant noise, and drifted off to sleep around 2:30--I think.

I woke up this morning and thanked God for letting me have the experience. (I don't know if it will ever happen again, or if I will ever again see some of the people I met, but I prayed that God would bless and keep them safe.)

My daughter had a wonderful idea to just go out. We had no plan. It was "hot as fish grease" as Vickie would say, but not unbearable. 

We walked around Barracks Row, and stumbled into a quaint little shop called Sweet Magnolia. After that we had lunch at Matchbox. Even though it was 100 degrees outside, it was cool enough inside to try their cream of crab soup. I think I have found a home.

The Fourth of July has come and gone. This year was a winner for me. Right now, as I listen to the first of this evening's explosions courtesy of my neighbors, I'm praying that it will rain--a lot. 

Somehow, on the FIFTH of July, the festive noise of the previous day transforms into a gross disturbance of the peace...: )

Note to self: You have ear plugs. Use them...oh...and tomorrow is TUESDAY.