One of the Greats

Cameron had an amazing experience last Sunday and shared it in a email. I thought I'd post it here as well. :)

09/30/2012

Wynton Marsalis was at BAM today.  I had worked it out with our department of Artist Services to arrange for an introduction.  There was a lot going on and I was not going to be able to stay until the end of the show as previously arranged.  At intermission, I went down to the stage level.  I met up with Stacey Dinner; one of our Artist Services staff.  I explained I had to go and handed her my copy of the Hayden Trumpet Concerto and asked if she could get Wynton to sign it.  She said, “Sure but hang on.”  She pulled up her phone, I heard her say, “hey, you got a minute?  Ok.  You downstairs?  Ok.  We’ll head your way.”  At the stairs, we met a man that Stacey introduced to me as the band manager.  She told him that I was interested in meeting Wynton and getting his autograph.  He boisterously said, “Sure thing.  Come on down.”  We were taken below stage just by the pit doors.  I was introduced to many of the band members and I thanked them for being at BAM and for the good show they were putting on.  I saw Wynton riffing with the band enjoying himself.  He looked relaxed and like he was having a good time.  The manager went up to him and told him, “This young man wants to talk to you.”  Wynton said, “Sure” and gestured for me to come over. 

I introduced myself as the Director of Building Operations for BAM and thanked him for the being here and putting on such a great show.  I then asked, “I was wondering if I could ask for one indulgence.” He said sure.  I began my story: 

“Twenty years ago I began to play the trumpet.”  He broke in, “Twenty years?  My Lord.  Let me shake your hand again.”  We laughed and I continued.  “My parents put me in trumpet lessons early.  During my first lesson I was told to get three things.  The first was a copy of Arbans method book.”  He said, “Sure that makes sense.  And the second was that copy of the Hayden Concerto?”  I replied, “That’s it.”  He said, “I’d know that piece anywhere.  What was the third?”  I said, “Wynton Marsalis, The London Concert.”   He looked stunned.  He put his hand on my shoulder.  I continued, “I was told that if I wanted to be a great trumpeter, I needed to listen to greatness.  I took this piece and learned it while developing my own sound by listening to The London Concert and other Marsalis recordings.  That direction shaped a lot of who I turned out to be as a musician and this piece [the Hayden Trumpet Concerto] was my audition piece for college where I was accepted on a trumpet performance scholarship."  I told him that I would be honored if he would sign this piece.  He looked as if he was going to well up.  He put his arm around me and said, “That is one of the best things I ever heard.”  He continued, “Do you want me to sign the cover?”  I nodded and he said, “C-A-M-E-R-O-N, right?”  I affirmed.  He then wrote, Cameron, Thank you. That makes it worth it.  Signed Wynton Marsalis.  I thanked him for the gift and told him I would treasure it.  I also told him that I would be sure to come see him at Lincoln Center.  He said, “When you do, call my office.  Tell them who you are.  I’ll take care of it.”  I was shocked and said, “Wow.  That’s great.  Thank you very much.”  He said, “Thank you for telling me your story.” 

At that point, the show was just a few minutes from resuming and everyone needed to get back to places.  I thanked Stacey and the band manager for making it happen and we parted ways.  He was so approachable and welcoming, he made me feel as if I could have visited all afternoon and it would have been just fine. 

Many times with successful individuals, you don’t get truly genuine people.  He seemed to really appreciate my experience and made me feel that he won’t soon forget it.  I am sure he meets hundreds of people each year that tell him how he has influenced their life but he didn’t show it.  He took in the experience as if I was his only fan in the world.  He made me feel so welcome and appreciated.  It was inspirational for me to experience that.  Regardless of how successful he has become, he welcomed me into his world and we shared a moment that I know I shall never forget.  

Until today, Wynton was always a musical inspiration; someone I could look to for stylistic phrasing, musical interpretation, or a sound I was trying to achieve.  Today, he added an element of character to that inspiration.  Being approachable and welcoming like that is a characteristic I have seen in few others.  I have been looking forward to this for about 6 months.  I could not have imagined what occurred.  I am truly honored to have had this experience and thought I would share it with you as well.

Just the two of us, for now

Cameron and I have been very private lately about our fertility/adoption situation. However, as I said in the last post, I have felt prompted to start blogging again. I don't know how much I want to share, but I figure the Lord will guide me through this post. I'm not sure if this is for me or someone else...but for some reason I feel I should write about it.

Around two years ago, I started writing a book. Through the years, our frustration and heartache has come from several sources. Besides the obvious, we have dealt with a lot of insensitive comments and judgment. It is incredibly difficult to be infertile and be a member of the church. I've found many talks that have given me comfort and a sense that I am not alone. However, when discussing the anger and resentment childless couples often feel, the talks focus on finding peace through prayer, faith, and understanding. While this is incredibly important, I have come to realize through experience that we cannot ignore the negative feelings. It's important to know that other infertile couples feel these things too, and you are not a bad person for having them. Prayer in an excellent and necessary tool to working through it, but sometimes we need to find a way to express them as well. People need to have an outlet for these feelings no matter how justified or irrational they are. For example, I never would have survived our experiences with infertility and adoption in CA if it hadn't been for a dear friend of mine. When life through a curve ball my way, I was often told to let it go and realize that if wasn't anyone's fault. Unfortunately, that's easier said than done. So, my friend suggested we go to lunch and "hate the world." It may sound crazy but it was one of my saving graces. We would spend an hour feeling sorry for ourselves and railing against how unfair things are. Then, when we left the restaurant, we left the negativity behind and moved on lighter and happier, and ready to face our struggles anew.

It's important to understand that this book is intent on helping couples dealing with infertility and adoption find peace, not fueling their anger and resentment. I never start writing without saying a prayer for guidance. 

I've been strongly prompted lately to finish the book. It's been difficult to get back into it though. When Cam and I moved to New York, we decided to take a break. After the failed attempt at my surgery, I was so broken. I couldn't handle it. Writing the book in that frame of mind was not possible. We left the pain behind and ignored the biological clock ticking away. Cameron and I even started discussing a "stop date." At some point, we will have to come to terms with being a family of two until we reach the next life. We decided to focus on us for a little while. We spent so much time living our life with the question of "what if." People were always telling us to enjoy our time alone together because life with kids changes it all. We never really took that time since we started trying so early in our marriage. So, we lived for the last two years without any backup plan, the "what if we have kids" plan... We have given ourselves time to heal, all though the scars never completely disappear.

Over the last few months we've begun to look at renewing our efforts to multiply and replenish the earth. Unfortunately, this decision brings the return of former anguish and memories of the events that brought on our period of respite. I'm not sure how I'll handle the struggles ahead, but I know the Lord has a plan, even if I'm not aware of what it is. I do know however, that somebody needs to hear mine and my friend's story.

So, as I prepare to jump back into my writing, I have been doing some research. Today, I came across several talks that have inspired me. I don't know how I missed them the last time, all though a few of them were from this year, but several were from the 80's. One in particular is called "Just the Two of Us for Now," from the February 1989 Ensign. I recommend it, even if you haven't dealt with this particular trial. I probably shouldn't have been reading it during sacrament today...hopefully nobody saw me crying, but I'm so grateful that I ran across it.

I don't know exactly what is next for us. But, I know the Lord will guide us and that the pain we are about to experience has a purpose. So....off we go.

Back to blogging (catching up)

I don't know why I stopped blogging. Not many people read our blog, it was more for me. I guess I got busy and just didn't make the time I should have.

For some reason, the Lord is prompting me to start blogging again. It's been so long, it would take me days of really long posts to catch up. So, here is the super condensed version:

Cameron's job is still amazing. In February, he was promoted to The Director of Building Operations for BAM. He absolutely loves it, and the people at BAM adore him (who wouldn't?!). He started a BAM softball team this summer which has been a lot of fun to watch. They started out slow, but they are kicking butt in the playoffs.
Cam started a second masters degree in Real Estate Management. He will finish up this coming December.
Cameron also started a consulting business recently, facilities management consulting (life cycle planning, Capital Analysis, etc...). He starts his first project this month with The American Academy of Dramatic Arts. Their Facilities Director was very impressed with the project Cam did for BAM. I'm so proud of him and he is very excited.

I started working at Crunch Gym in March of 2011, as a personal trainer. It was a really wonderful learning experience, but eventually their demands on my time became too much. This June, I left Crunch and went out on my own. Several of my clients followed me, so I started out in a good position. It's been truly wonderful being on my own. I have a lot of ideas and am slowing working on implementing them. Check out the website: www.performancefitnessnyc.com. I'm working on developing a home training system and breaking into the bridal circuit. Currently, I'm studying for a nutrition certification and when that's done, I have a list of others to work on. I love it though.

I started boxing about 6 months ago and got bit by the bug. I really really love it. I'm hoping to compete in some amateur fights soon and then work my way to the Golden Glove eventually.

In December, Cameron and I celebrated our 10th wedding anniversary. 10yrs...crazy right?!?! In April, we spent a week in Mexico to celebrate. It was incredible. We are looking forward to the next 50. 

These are the highlights. :)

We love living in NYC. I still wake up and can't believe that we live here. Sometimes its a struggle, but its worth it. We haven't had many visitors, but we hope that will change (hint, hint).