One Really Good Thing

Just feeling really good recently. I keep catching a smile at the corners of my mouth. (No, I'm not pregnant.) I've been meaning to write about it. For example:

Mae's tremendous success with her welcome reception last week.

My dear friend Mae is the recently-crowned director of a statewide foundation (I know! We’re all so proud.), and last Thursday was her first big community function. Ostensibly, it was to be a feel-good event for the purpose of introducing Mae to the community, awarding the selected grant recipients, and recognizing the founders. But Mae was responsible for the planning, natch, and was going to have to host, and give a speech. All of this is well within her capabilities, but...nerves. You know.

Well, the event was a hit. It was an after-work, happy-hour kind of gathering at Museo de las Americas on Santa Fe Drive. By six o’clock, the museum was packed, room to room, with a great mix of people connecting and reconnecting. Plus live music, open bar and tasty nibblies to make sure everybody lingered. And Mae’s speech was so good - clear and heartfelt and funny and warm. All the best parts of her personality came shining through.

Every angle of my critical nature was satisfied - as a professional fundraiser, as Mae’s adoring friend, as a curious community member, I was really impressed.

While the bigwig was introducing Mae, I positioned myself where I could see the podium clearly, so Mae would be able to see me when she got up to bat. I knew she was nervous, and I wanted to be an obvious friendly face in the audience. My plan was to will her, just actively good vibe her, into doing well.

I don’t think she needed my help.

First of all, she was very composed and terribly well-spoken. She engaged the audience with good, consistent eye contact, while delivering interesting, relevant facts and exhorting the community to get involved. She was friendly and professional, easygoing but very compelling. A natural leader.

Also, there was no shortage of good vibes in that audience. As I stood there, trying to emanate goodwill towards her, I realized I wasn’t the only one. Between the preponderance of smiling faces and the rapt attention being paid, it was perfectly obvious that this audience was in love. That’s quite a feeling in a roomful of people. Especially when it’s directed towards your good friend, and she is totally deserving.

And that’s when I had to step aside and let the blond head in front of me obstruct my view, and block Mae’s view of me, because I started doing that dorky thing -- moms know --where you’re smiling but you’re kind of about to cry because you’re so touched and proud, but you’re trying to keep your cool because you’re in public and your friend is going to be totally embarrassed by you if you don’t keep it together.

(In my defense, Mae’s family wasn’t there, and someone had to well up with pride! It’s possible that I was channeling her mother, or maybe a big sister.)

Dude. I knew you when, man.

I hope she’s getting as much of a lift out of it as I am continuing to enjoy.

More really good things to come.