3d Amanda A Dream Come True
Luisa Rodocker
Thank you Chris for inspiring a young teenage girl to follow her dreams and become what I got a chance to become. Thank you for the lyrics that inspired me and lifted me out of dark times. For your voice, that was the voice of my generation.
As it turns out, an untold number of my friends have secretly been petitioning the Springsteen organization for months on my behalf to help make a dream come true on Saturday night in Virginia Beach. Many of those friends didn't even want me to know they were involved (because they seek no credit), but I have spies, and I now know most of the names involved. I won't name any names out of respect for those who wish to remain anonymous, but you all need to know how much I love you for doing what you did for me and Amanda: acting as my own personal Make-a-Wish foundation.
Consequently, upon arrival at the venue, we were met by Sean Magovern, son of Bruce's longtime personal assistant and much-missed dear friend, Terry Magovern. Sean, who clearly has a heart as big as the Big Man, and who is President and Executive Director of the Joan Dancy and PALS Foundation (which benefits ALS sufferers), then proceeded to give a small group of us a tour of the backstage area, providing a fascinating window into all the work that goes on behind the scenes to put on an E Street show. (After our tour, Sean told us more about the PALS Foundation and generously invited us to take advantage of their resources and knowledge base for assistance as my disease progresses.)
During the tour, Sean introduced us to several key crew members including Kevin Buell [above], booking agent Barry Bell, video director Chris Hilson, and manager Barbara Carr, who couldn't possibly have been any lovelier to us, in addition to the Reverend Everett Bradley [below], a super-sweet guy with whom I was able to share a personal story.
Next, Sean himself graciously took a picture of our group at the rear of the stage behind Max's drum setup, and then we were asked to reduce the size of the group because we were very close to showtime and things were happening quickly. A couple of friends were able to stay behind with me and Amanda, and it's them we have to thank for the pictures of what happened next.
First, as the band began to assemble, Barbara brought Charlie Giordano over and introduced him to us, and he was also as welcoming as could be during our brief chat, during which with I was again able to share a personal story.
Bruce warmly thanked us for coming to the show and said that he didn't think he'd ever played Virginia Beach before (I replied that I was pretty sure he was right). We talked about the last show I'd seen (Charlottesville 2012, which he also enthusiastically recalled as having been "a good one!"), and he said that whenever they come South, the shows tend to be great, which he attributed largely to the energy of the crowds. I agreed and replied, "Here's to another great one tonight in Virginia Beach." Bruce's response was a hopeful, "We'll see!"
And then... and then... then Sean came over with Bruce's mic, said that Bruce needed to go to work with it in a few minutes, but that I should officially hand off the mic to him (!!!). And then Sean presented the mic to me with an air of ceremony, and I passed it to Bruce, not believing it was happening even as it was happening.
Bruce then crouched down next to my wheelchair and requested that my friends capture the moment in photos. They happily obliged as Bruce and I gripped his mic together, both smiling for the cameras. He asked how the pictures came out, and thoughtfully suggested another round as a backup. We then thanked him profusely, bade him farewell, and then he went straight from talking with us to join hands with his wife and the rest of the band, and led their prayer circle. (I'm not going to write about that though, because it was a private moment that we were privileged to witness.)
From there, the band walked through the stage door and Bruce and his freshly-inducted-into-the-Rock-and-Roll-Hall-of-Fame E Street Band commenced to deliver as thrillingly mind-blowing a performance as I've ever seen. This was Bruce Springsteen totally off the chain, chugging a fan's entire (large) beer during the longest-ever "Sherry Darling" sax solo. That kicked off an inspired summertime-themed mini-suite of songs for the Virginia Beach setting that included what had to be the best "Talk to Me" of all time, "Seaside Bar Song" (preceded by words that are music to any hardcore fan's ears, "More obscurities!"), and a beautiful "Jersey Girl." The songs from the new album all sounded fantastic live (including the E Street premiere of a moving "The Wall"), the classics were electrifying as always (that's why they're classics), and the covers were a joy. The show was so ridiculously good, and Bruce's mood so ebullient, that I was half-expecting Tom Waits to come out and guest on "Jersey Girl"... but Bruce and the band didn't need any outside help to take us all to the other side with them on this magical night.
I only wish it had been possible for all of my Bruce blood brothers and sisters to be with us on Saturday, but as has been correctly pointed out to me, "If Bruce is there, and we're there, they're there."
BACKSTREETS #91
Our most recent issue honors a very Big Man. More than half of the 116-page, perfect bound Backstreets #91 is a tribute to the life and music of... do we have to say his name?
Walking into Mrs. Werner's classroom you can feel the atmosphere lighten. You are greeted with warmth and compassion, and that is just by being a parent in her room. The daily experience these children have with her is pure love. I could feel it just by sitting with her at conferences. Amanda goes above and beyond for her Pre-K classes. My daughter is lucky to be part of her split days between tiny tots. This age is hard, emotions are hard to manage, and things are not easily understood. My daughter looks forward to going to school and learning and growing with the help of Mrs. Werner.
This classroom is like an extension of home to her. She knows she is safe, she is loved and she is thriving. As a parent, it is a dream come true. In addition to the classroom is the class paraprofessional, Mrs. Porter who also is in her room, who adapts and manages all things so well, and fills the room with love as well. I am so thankful my daughter has gotten to be a part of this classroom and that her educational experience began with Mrs. Werner leading the way.
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Moving into an Eichler home last year was a dream come true for Amanda. With a third child on the way, her and her husband needed to upscale, but wanted something special. Tired of seeing the same stucco house over and over, they decided to look further afield for a home built by the famous mid-century developer Joseph Eichler.
For Amanda, going for an Eichler home has enabled her family to live with beautiful architecture at an affordable price. The home offers seamless indoor/outdoor living space and open floor plans, so her kids can play in the atrium while she is in the kitchen.
Light also pours in throughout the day from different directions. Yet with very few windows at the front, they can enjoy this atmosphere in a degree of privacy. Not only that, but she is now bringing up her children in the same kind of home she lived in during her own childhood.
For Amanda, the pursuit of the perfect Eichler did not stop when she secured her home. She was also very keen on getting all the rest of the details right, particularly with the pursuit of period features.However, looking for certain mid-century fixtures, she was surprised how few options there were in the marketplace in terms of lighting, doorknobs and mailboxes. With her mailbox, for instance, she decided to opt for a contemporary yet faithful design from Modern Mailbox.
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