Author’s Note: The events you are about to read are 100% true.  Some have only heard me tell the tale and even fewer still were eyewitnesses.  Whether or not you have already heard my story, please stay tuned to the end because other than talking about one of the top ten best days of my life, I have a point that relates to you.  So hang tight!

 

And here we go…

 

Anyone who knows me knows that I am an American Idol fan to the nth degree.  I’ve been a fan since I first saw Kelly Clarkson belt out “Natural Woman” and I stayed a fan through the horrors of Sanjaya, Danny Noriega, and pretty much all of season nine.  And for the record, I’m digging this new season with J-Lo and Steven Tyler – there’s a lot more heart, hair, and flair at the judge’s table now. (Cue Steven Tyler scream: “Waaaaaaooooooohhhhh!!!)

Over the years, my world has intersected with the AI world.  I’ve been to the taping of one finale, I’ve attended regular tapings, and I’ve also seen a couple of the former Idols in concert.  Not too bad for your average AI fan.

And just when I thought my fan experience had reached its pique, season eight, Danny Gokey, and a God-appointed internship at a major news network (hint: starts with a “C” and ends with two “N”s) came along.

The short of the long of it (really, I promise) is that I was a fan of Gokey’s from the second I saw him.  Even before the Seacrest voiceover started telling his story, I knew right away I would be a fan.  So, to say I was disappointed when he got cut before his time (even though he made it all the way to the top three) is a HUGE understatement.  Lucky for me, this wouldn’t be the last time I would see or hear him.

Fast-forward to the following November.  Through an unforeseen, miraculous series of events, I found myself sitting across from him, trying to hold it together while conducting my first professional interview.  Thankfully, he was just as warm and kindhearted as he seemed on tv and the interview went off without a hitch (well, other than saying “that’s great” a million times because my nerves were shot).  To put it simply, this day quickly shot up to my top ten best days ever.

And then came August.

 

The following summer, I heard he was going to be playing in Reno, Nevada, close to where my family lives.  In the blink of an eye, I packed up my things and my friend, and headed up north.  Family, Gokey, and the Flying Elvi is a winning vacation combination (it was happy happenstance that the Flying Elvi made an appearance during my trip.  Who doesn’t love skydiving Elvi?)

I had no expectations for the concert other than having a good time seeing one of my favorite artists – and I’m happy to say I was not disappointed.  The opening acts were great and he was just phenomenal.  Again, long story made shorter than you think, the good stuff was just around the corner.

Even though I had no expectations, I had hoped that maybe he would remember me if there was an opportunity to talk after the show.  I didn’t expect him to remember me seeing as how nine months and an unnumbered amount of interviewers had crossed his path since I crossed his.  I figured best case scenario I’d talk to him and worse case, I would just enjoy a good show and go home happy.  It was a win-win situation.

 

What I didn’t know was that I was about to win “lottery style” because a few songs later he stopped the show, pointed and waved at me, and said, “I know you! CNN! You interviewed me! It’s so good to see you again!” In shock, I responded best I could and suddenly felt the weight shift in the room as all eyes from the floor to the balcony were on me.  Instantly, this night became a permanent fixture in my top ten best days ever.

When I called my family later to tell what happened, I said to my mom, “It was just like my New Kids on the Block dream! You know, the one where Joey McIntyre would point me out in a crowd???” Finally! I got a return on all of that change I invested in multiple wishing wells.  And you know what, even though the name and the face changed in the dream, the fulfillment was just as amazing. (P.S. I did eventually meet Joey in 2005. Ha ha!)

And now that you’ve hung with me throughout this story, here comes your reward: the point of this blog.

I’m sure that I’m not the first or will even be the last person to have that dream – the dream of being pointed out in a crowd by someone you admire.  It’s an amazing feeling to be acknowledged or recognized (especially in this kind of way) when a lot of the time you just feel invisible.  And anyone who’s ever known what it feels like to feel invisible or unheard, it can be an awful and, at times, devastating feeling.

The good news is that you are seen.  God sees you even when it feels as though others don’t.  He also hears you. Even when you feel He’s gone silent or deaf, He’s still there listening to you, hanging on your every word.  The God of this universe knows you, He watches over you, and even your deepest thoughts are not hidden from Him.  I mean, how amazing it is that the One who created this universe sees YOU and speaks to YOU???  That’s just crazy sauce! (In the best way possible, of course!)

Knowing that God sees you, it’s not a duty then but a privilege to pay it forward by taking the time, even if just for a moment, to acknowledge others.  A smile is a simple way of letting someone know they are seen.  Even a quick hello could remind someone they matter.

You can take it even further by asking someone’s name and engaging in conversation.  Acknowledgement matters more than you think – someone knowing they’re visible and cared for could very well be the difference between life and death.

Take it from me: acknowledgement can be life-giving and heart-changing.  When you’re in your community don’t just be seen, but see.  Look a stranger in the eye and say hi.  You never know – a smile and hello from you could make all the difference in someone else’s world.  It did for me =).