This last June, my son, Eric, and I were in Indianapolis for an event at the Indiana Convention Center
At the end of activities one
day, Eric and I took time to have dinner at the local Steak N Shake. Many
Popcon participants were also there having dinner. At one point I noticed,
dressed in obvious character, Princess Leia at the counter to pay her bill.
I immediately seized upon the opportunity to
create a charming, if silly, moment.
Having in my shirt pocket only a receipt
from an earlier purchase, and an ink pen, I approached Princess Leia and
requested her autograph. She maintained character as she signed “To Mike Princess Leia” on the back of the receipt.
And then, adding her own sense of charm and memorable moment, she pressed her
lips to the paper; she smiled and handed it to me, saying “your welcome”, as I
thanked her.
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| Princess Leia's autograph and pressed lips to right of autograph. |
While I have never met Carrie
Fisher, and surely she is wonderful as Princess Leia, I am convinced this
moment at Steak N Shake would be superior to a moment meeting Carrie Fisher.
Again, not discrediting Carrie in any way, but the charm of this moment, the
creative initiative of this “Princess Leia” rests in my heart as one of those
wonderful, small, instances of life of which poets write poetry and bloggers
post blogs.
I imagine life has many such opportunities
for those who respond to an idea, take a chance of making a fool of oneself,
and wish to see what surprising thing might happen,
