Author’s Note: Hopefully you enjoyed yesterday’s Extraordinary Women post from my friend Gabriana Marks. The series continues through out the month on Nosy Parker.
Once Upon A Time
Come Fly With Me not to the moon but back in time to 1987 as It Was A Very Good Year. The place is Reunion Arena in Dallas, Texas. You are not only joining me but my date for the night, James.
He owned a limo company and chauffeured a couple to Reunion Arena for the Frank Sinatra concert. They had two extra tickets and would James like them? He called and told me of this opportunity and I said: “I’m changing clothes right now.”
No way was I about to turn down a chance to see Sinatra perform. My dad taught me about Jazz and Big Band music when I was young so I realized that Luck was being a Lady to James and me.
Frank and those of us in the audience were not Strangers In The Night just exchanging glances but we were sharing love the whole night through. Both James and I savored Sinatra’s singing and the overall experience as we knew this was a once in a life time event for us.
Throughout the concert people would shout “My Way” from various parts of the arena. The request came from our side, then after the next song a voice would shout “My Way” from the left end of the area, then another voice would shout from the right end of the arena and so on through out Frank’s concert.
Then came a time when a gentleman sitting down front said “My Way” Frank said “We had something else.” and “Your wish is my command.” The band started playing My Way….and the crowd went wild.
I never forgot Frank saying “We had something else.” and “Your wish is my command.” because I knew he hated singing My Way. However, he was there to give us a remarkable evening and that meant once again singing My Way.
As Time Goes By
Fast forward to November 2019. Every day I get up and stumble groggily through out the house preparing coffee and oatmeal and then get ready for work. Most days are very mundane and routine. They are indistinguishable from all the rest. Just another day getting yelled at by customers and delivery drivers. My way of life is not exciting.
However, on November 8th, 2019 I happen to find out it is the 50th anniversary of My Way, the 1969 album that forever changed Frank’s career. I about fell out of my chair when reviewing the tracks on the MP3 version as the last bonus track was My Way – Live at Reunion Arena, Dallas, TX, October 24th, 1987. After recovering from the shock of that magical night being recorded, I purchased the MP3 version of the 50th anniversary album.
Listening to that track brought back fabulous memories of that extraordinary night.
Grazie
As with anything else in life there are some thank you’s (grazie) that need to be said.
Thank you:
- Paul Anka for writing the song
- Frank for recording it and singing it that night
- Don Costa for the wonderful arrangement
- to whoever decided to record the concert at Reunion Arena
Finally, thank you God for orchestrating all the events in my life that lead up to James and me experiencing that wonderful night. Please give James a hug and a kiss from me as I know he resides in heaven with you.
Finale
Now I can say my clapping was recorded on a Frank Sinatra album. It is the little things that unexpectedly make you feel so young and bring joy to life.
If you want to hear my clapping – and some exceptional singing, please click here. You must get the MP3 version as the CD does not have the Reunion Arena concert on it.
May your life always be blessed with Doobee, Doobee Doo (Strangers In The Night) moments and remember The Best Is Yet To Come.
Bio: Michele Kearns is the founder and HUG© (Hope Unites Globally) Award-Winner of JoyReturns. She shares her widowhood adventures hoping to encourage widows to move through grief and rebuild their lives. A graduate of Kent State University with a Bachelor’s degree in communications, she’s used those skills while managing call center teams, co-facilitating a grief support group, and helping small businesses with various writing and administrative assignments. Michele is a bookworm, and a lover of history, chocolate, red roses, and golden retrievers. She is also the amateur photographer behind the blog OgleOhio.com
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