Oh my goodness, what an evening!! I attended Bette Midler‘s NYRP Spring Picnic this evening. When she saw me, she hugged me, said it was so great to see me and that I looked as gorgeous as always. After we took pictures together, her assistant reminded her that I had gotten several donations from friends and family for Stages for Success and she hugged me again in a motherly way and said it was so wonderful of me. It was hard holding back tears as it’s not everyday that your hero gives you such amazing compliments. I introduced my friend Louise Brady to her and told her that she came over from Wales and this was her first time in NY. Louise told Bette that we met because of her, and she said it was such a sweet story. She offered to take a picture with the two of us, which was so kind of her. It was such an incredible evening that it was hard to put into words. When I was 15 years old, I promised myself if I ever made it out alive from my abusive childhood, I would find a way to meet her and thank her for saving me, and also repay her for what she did for me, which is why I’ve donated to her causes. The fact that I’ve been able to do both is just surreal. When I was a kid, I would hear people say dreams do come true and I used to think, “Nope, not for me, not for someone like me” so this last year has been quite unbelievable. I can’t wait to come back for Hulaween!!
