Saturday morning, we had likely the best breakfast we've had in years as
a family. Room service had a distinct way of making you feel like
someone appointed you princess for a day. A little daisy floating in
pink water on a table... tablecloths, food garnished with delicate
touches. I've never experienced such a fine dinning experience from
room service in my entire life. It was so comfortable for Noah, as he
had his leisurely breakfast in front of a cartoon, giggling with
delight.
Speech Rehearsals were scheduled early afternoon for
those speaking. I decided to attend rehearsals alone so the boys could
do lunch and relax. I headed to the Majestic Theatre in Dallas to
practice the speech I'd be delivering the very next day. Immediately as
you walked through the doors you could feel the Theatre seeping with
rich history. Gorgeous detailed paneled walls and staircases that
itched for you to explore where they'd lead. The kind of place where if
you listened long and hard enough the walls might divulge secrets.
The
Majestic Theatre was built in 1921 and once hosted a variety of acts
including, Houdini, Mae West and Bob Hope. The idea that I was about to
be on the same stage as legendary greats made my palms quiver and my
heart flutter. The backstage production was so elaborate and well
planned. Sound, lighting, curtains... and everything that comes with
lights, camera, action! It
was my first inclination of just how big of a production the AIPAC Team
was conducting. It was breathtaking. As I was hooked up to a mic, and
headed out to face those stage lights and all those empty seats, I felt
so incredibly honored that anyone would find my voice... my words
important enough to hear. Hearing my voice echo, words that I never
thought I'd speak... words I expected would forever remain simply
written in a collection of Noah's blog posts, felt powerful and
emotional as I re-lived those words - those moments in time.
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| Majestic Theatre Staircase |
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| The Walls at Majestic Theatre |
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| Majestic Theatre Chandelier |
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| Backstage |
We
ran through a quick rehearsal, and we were back off to the hotel for
some down time. We decided that the weather had warmed up just enough
for us to tour the streets of Dallas. We walked to a fountain that Luke
could see from our hotel window that he was so excited about. He
called it a waterfall and we knew Noah would also enjoy seeing it up
close. After we inspected the fountain we walked around the corner to
Nasher Sculpture Center, which just happened to be having a free
admission day. Noah had the best time. I love looking at the wonder
in his eyes. His silent understanding and curiosity of new things in
the world he's never yet seen before. In fact, we were ready to head
back to the hotel when Noah protested and demanded to take one more tour
around. He certainly is a little boy who knows what he wants.
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| Fountain across the street from Fairmont Hotel |
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| Noah in awe of a sculpture he was admiring |
We
made it back to the hotel to get ready for a dinner scheduled at the
Dallas Museum of Art. A sea of tables, bar stations, and live music
welcomed you as you entered. Cocktails and those touring to look at
the museum while attendees waited on dinner. Every single person that I
spoke to incredibly warm and loving. It gave you the feeling like you
were amongst family. This giant family embracing you with love and
acceptance, although knowing very little about us or our special needs
journey. I joked I wanted to pack everyone I came in contact with in my
suitcase and take them home with me. I don't think I've felt that much
unconditional love and acceptance in one place since Noah's birth.
AIPAC's members are an incredible group of people.
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| One of the dinner areas at the Museum |
I had the
pleasure of meeting some new friends. We immediately connected with a
beautiful lady by the name of Sharon. She took us under her wing for
the evening introducing us to so many wonderful people. Her husband
Bob, equally talented and well accomplished, engaging in conversation
with us that evening. We couldn't have been in better company. Dinner
was a large buffet assortment. Each buffet station having something
different. People mingled about giving each other hugs, sharing
stories, and offering each other congratulations for good news... a
wedding... a new birth of a grandchild. People who genuinely cared
about each other. My soul soaked up that feeling. Not knowing the
next time I'd feel such a room filled of love.
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| Sharon, Myself and Chris at the Dallas Museum of Art Dinner |
It was the perfect ending to our first full day in Dallas.
Love,
Noah's Miracle by
Stacy Warden is licensed under a
Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 3.0 United States License.
