Do any of you remember what Scott Hamilton said at the end of the "Fun And Games" routine during the 1997-98 Stars On Ice tour?
After spending the day playing more mini-golf than I cared to and checking out the mountainous region of the Ozarks, I went back to my hotel room and just chilled out until 1:30 p.m.......then headed back to the Moon River Theatre for the Tuesday matinee.
Upon entering the theatre again, I found Michelle and introduced myself to her.....and she said, "Oh, you're the one who had the messages for Roz. She said thank you and that she wanted to meet you after the matinee show."
After one year, four months and over three weeks of waiting and praying to the Lord Jesus Christ, I was finally going to see her face to face! Needless to say, I had mixed emotions because I respect Roz not only as a skater but as a person serving the Lord each day while entertaining the masses with just good clean fun.
To think, I missed by an hour of meeting Tara Lipinski and Scott Hamilton at this year's Stars On Ice show, and have met Michelle Kwan and Dorothy Hamill at this year's Champions On Ice tour.....and now, I was meeting Roz again! Life IS good!
Just about 10 minutes after the matinee ended, I waited (patiently) outside the backstage door while Michelle Coleman went to get Roz....all the while getting really nervous.....Roz came out with that wonderful smile of hers...and looking as radiant as ever in a romper outfit.
AND I GOT TO HUG ROZ AGAIN!!!!!
We chatted briefly.....I explained the "minor" problem I had with the car that I had to overcome en route to Branson....and Roz mentioned that it was great being here in Branson, adding that she was staying with the chaplain (and his family) that works at the Moon River Theatre. (PTL!)
Roz also wanted to thank those for the email messages I delivered to her and the poster board messages I had made for her.....including one that listed her favorite Bible verse, Matthew 11:29.
She took time to autograph the Stars On Ice book I had with me....and posed with me for pictures inside the theatre --- not taking any chances, I had Michelle take three photos (despite the low-light conditions, the photos turned out decent enough to post here).
All the while I was trembling inside -- and yet I stayed relatively calm throughout the time I was visiting with her.
Then Roz had to rush off for dinner and to get ready for the 7 p.m. show. As she headed off, I again thanked Roz for the time and added, "God bless you, Roz!"
The Tuesday night show was rather anticlimatical....but still as fast-paced and as energetic as the two previous shows. After the final show, I thanked Michelle for all of her help.
Click here for closing thoughts on my experience in Branson.
My Favorite Web sites
A Salute To Rosalynn Sumners: Remember Me This Way
Scott's Shack: My HomePage Site
