01.08.08
Love In a Flip Book
I was having a rough go of it last week. I was in Kansas City, my third week in a row on the road, and I was dealing with some relationship issues that had me more than a little overwhelmed. Performing under those circumstances can either be very challenging or very liberating, you never really know until you get up there.
On Friday night it was the former. I was having a difficult time and called on my reserves to keep my spirit light and get me through the night. The first show was fine but I was mentally exhausted and dreading having to perform another forty-five minute set on the late show.
In between shows I was sitting backstage in the green room. The emcee, Sam, a young comic in his early twenties who had been doodling on a pad of post-it notes, handed me the pad and said "This is for you". I thanked him, somewhat surprised, and began to flip through the pad.
A tiny stick figure man walked across the page until he reached the end and skidded to halt. He stood there momentarily, frustrated, when from out of the sky came a sign that rammed into the ground. A magnifying glass swept across the sign to reveal the sign's message, "I AM LOVED". I sat there for a moment, stunned. Did that really say what I think it said? Sam and I had chatted briefly throughout the week, mostly about comedy, certainly not about anything too deep or personal. You could have given me a thousand guesses at what he had drawn on those pages and I would never have guessed that. I flipped through it a couple more times, needing to see it again to believe it.
Sometimes a small gesture can have a profound affect and that was exactly what I needed to hear. At a time when I was feeling drained, exhausted and not particularly loved I was reminded, not so subtly, that, indeed, I was. As I said, our talks had been brief and there had been no indication that anything like that would be forthcoming.
I thanked him at the end of the night but his easy, nonchalant "You're welcome" made me wonder if he realized that his simple little flip book helped rescue me that night. It reminded me that life was bigger than whatever momentary struggles I was encountering and the forces of love are all around you whether you realize it or not. Just keep flipping.
Thank you, Sam.
Other Readings From The Book of Ted:
01.08.08 -- Love In a Flip Book
01.04.08 -- Less is Moor
10.09.07 -- What Is It Good For
08.18.07 -- Kibbles-n-Vicks
04.15.07 -- Hello, Imus be Going
04.14.07 -- Echoes of Nanny
03.18.07 -- For the Birds
12.06.06 -- Another Year, Another Christmas Show
10.22.06 -- Phases of Ted
10.10.06 -- Breakfast with Ted
09.25.06 -- Dress To Impress
08.06.06 -- SYNCing Feeling
06.01.06 -- Kenyan Sets Mark for Television Marathon
05.08.06 -- Never Trust a Big Butt and a Smile
04.30.06 -- Real Ted
02.16.06 -- Cheney's Got a Gun
01.01.06 -- Corporate Party
11.26.05 -- Alaska Flight Delay
10.24.05 -- Halloween Treat
10.10.05 -- Killing Me Softly
09.08.05 -- Proud to be American
08.22.05 -- 8th Grade Moustache Gang
07.15.05 -- 6th Grade Chorus
05.12.05 -- 238th Street
03.10.05 -- Birthday Bash
08.21.04 -- American Justice: Undercover Unit
06.07.04 -- Sick With the Flu
05.06.04 -- Friends Finale
02.03.04 -- Remembering J-Lo
01.20.04 -- Comedy Influences
10.16.03 -- The Gym: Do I Really Belong?
08.10.03 -- Last Comic Standing
07.28.03 -- Summer of Ted
11.02.02 -- Jam Master Jay
10.07.02 -- Webcam
04.13.02 -- S Club 7
03.01.02 -- Mardi Gras
01.23.02 -- Alaska
12.20.01 -- Laddy The Ladder
05.16.01 -- I Like Short Skirts
03.18.01 -- Getting Married
05.11.00 -- Procrastination
11.01.99 -- Selected Readings
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