crocheted Scooby. Ron and Scooby resemble Rick's real-life dogs. It is an immense honor to me to know he kept Ron and Scooby, Kritters that I hope will, one day, become a full-time career for me.
When I found out Rick was going to be appearing in my hometown in July, I knew this time that whatever I designed had to be different and better than before. So after careful consideration, I decided to make him not one but TWO dogs for this concert. I decided to make him his pug dog, Pearl, and his schnoodle dog, Molly.
My sister Lesli and I headed to the Columbus Zoo (where the concert was being held) and got in line with the other Rick fans. We had such a great time talking to everyone, and I was so happy to show off Pearl and Molly to anyone who asked about them. I was fortunate enough to meet two Rick fans in person: Sherri from Ohio and WebDude's friend, Diana. Rick fans surely are the best people in the world! :o)
Rick came onstage and was absolutely amazing as he always is during a concert. He appeared so happy to be there and was enjoying himself so much. He finally put on the earpiece and the cordless guitar to come out into the audience. He started out further away from us, and Lesli got some great pictures of a pre-rose explosion from that distance away.
I was praying that Rick would come our way, or at the very least see the Kritters.
I kept praying that he would come closer to us and he did start to slowly make his way to our side of the concert area. He ended up standing on a table approximately a foot an a half away from me and Lesli. How awesome is that??!
I held up my arms as high as they could go, eye level to Rick, Molly in my left hand, Pearl in my right hand. Rick began the Kinks' song "You Really Got Me", while I still held the Kritters high up in the air.
Rick got the Kritters in his hands, smiled so big, and says to the crowd there, "You know, I have the BEST FANS in the WHOLE WORLD!" and the crowd began cherring loudly. Rick says to the crowd, "These are my dogs, Molly and..Scooby" (OOPS! LOL! Okay, it was REALLY dark where he was and that's understandable Rick thought it was Scooby, even though it was actually Pearl.)
Right after he announced the dogs to everyone, he held the dogs up as high as he could and showed them to everyone there! He even turned all the way around on the table (still holding the Kritters up in the air) so everyone had the opportunity to see them! He then yelled to Ronnie (his tour manager) who was on stage, to catch them. Then, Rick threw both dogs, one by one, up to Ronnie, who took them off stage. YES, RICK KEPT THE KRITTERS I MADE!
During the entire moment, which felt to me like minutes, but was in actuality seconds, I had tears filling my eyes. This moment in time touched me so deeply, even more so than the moment I saw him get Scooby back in 2001. I was so happy that he got the Kritters and so excited I got to see his reaction to them.
But I think, what really got me, and why I was so affected by that moment, was something else. That night, I could obviously see his excitement and happiness, but it was so much more than that and I couldn't put my finger on it until Lesli got the pictures developed.
Looking at the pictures of Rick with the Kritters, I saw what it was that I couldn't put into words. In my favorite picture, courtesy of my talented amateur photograph-taking sister Lesli, Rick is looking down at both Kritters and it is here where I finally saw it. The excitement, the happiness, the shock at receiving them, and the one thing I couldn't put into words at the time: he looks so PROUD. Rick is so proud of his fans, and the wonderful ways they add to his life.
I am so excited I got to see Rick get two more of the Kritters I made for him. I am even more ecstatic knowing he kept them (along with the other two I made for him) and maybe, in some small way, I added to his life the manyw ays he added to mine.
THANK YOUs:
First, my sister Lesli. Lesli, you went above and beyond what a sister is supposed to do. You made sure I got to see this concert (even though I was completely BROKE! LOL!), made sure to sit with me HOURS before the concert started to ensure great seats, and you took the most incredible pictures of one of the happiest moments of my life. Thank you for all you did and continue to do. I don't know what I would do without you.
To my friend Sherri: I am so glad we finally met in person! I appreciate all the amazing pictures you have taken of the Kritters for me, especially the one of Rick with Scooby. I am so glad I know you!
To my friend Diana: I am so glad we got to meet at the Columbus show! Hopefully, there will be many more concerts in our future! (Don't forget to call WebDude at those shows, too!) LOL
To all the Rick fans I met in line before the show and during the show, and the kind-hearted fans who helped me give Rick my Kritters: You are all like Rick said--THE BEST FANS IN THE WORLD!
To Rick Springfield: I don't think there is one other performer, past or present, who could possibly measure up to you, at least in my eyes. You continue to amaze me with your brilliance and insight, and especially, your wonderful kindness to the masses of fans. Because of you and your music, I have met so many wonderful people and continue to make friends because of that. I owe you so much, and I am forever your fan. :o)
And last, but in no way least, I thank Marni, from the bottom of my heart, for helping Rick to notice the Kritters. I know you were there with us, Marni, and I couldn't have done that without you. God bless!
