| At long last, April 14, 2001, Easter Eve, the day of Johnny Mathis' concert was here. I traveled via my new Daewoo, to Fort Lauderdale to see Johnny Mathis in his concert at the Broward Center. I was prepared for the four hour drive, and advised by my close friends to take the Florida Turnpike as suggested by the travel web pages. However, I was not prepared for the $11.00 toll. Talk about knocking your socks off. I joked to the toll both operator, "Do you take bail bond cards?" He said, " no" (completely missing the joke). Nevertheless, after getting lost, of course, for an hour (as I thought might happen) and having allotted extra travel time for this reason, I got to the Broward Center with time to spare. Everyone sitting around me was a devoted Mathis fan. It was a thrill being with people who shared my enamorment for Johnny. We all talked about our past Mathis experiences, and confirmed Mathis history. By the time the orchestra started up we were all pumped up. Then..... Johnny appeared in a summer white tropical suit, looking like an angel straight from the ranks of the Seraphim. When he started to sing, I knew that I was the one who had ascended to heaven. He looked marvelous. Johnny's voice was in perfect intonation of the Mathis magic I 've always loved. He sang all my favorites. I had come with a small bouquet of roses to run and give to him after the show was over. My allergy to flowers made it hard to keep the tears from flowing as he chanted The Sands of Time (from the broadway show "KISMET". For the last part of the show, Johnny donned a sharp, black tuxedo. He was looking really good. When Johnny announced his last song, I ran to the side of the stage--- but then---he announced that he was singing one more song. Hence, I slithered over to the end of the stage next to the side exit door, which was near the stage, and waited. Without an orchestra lead Johnny started singing MY song, Long Ago and Far Away. This was a song I had always sung--myself---to him; As he sang, he looked directly at me, standing by the door. Now I know you may think I'm hallucinating. I looked around there was no one there but me...and...He stared directly at ME, for quite a long time (I thought for a while that he was signaling security ). I was absolutely mesmerized. At the end of the song I gave a screaming cheer and walked up to the stage and handed him the two roses, threw him a kiss, and told him he was marvelous. Johnny thanked me, smelled the roses, and bowed to ME. (SCREAM). He was this close to me . I saw him as up close as I was to him in the picture below. I had made up a greeting for him on my computer, and wrapped it around the stem of the roses. Here....... |
 |
| God must have sent Johnny Mathis a special message to sing THIS evening. Many selections, though not chart toppers, were my favorite Johnny tunes.� Songs� like THE SANDS OF TIME; A DAY IN THE LIFE OF A FOOL (MANHA DE CARNAVAL-from the album "OLE"), Along� with SECRET LOVE (featured on� the� FAITHFULLY LP),� As well as COME RIDE THE WIND� WITH ME (from the album LOVE IS EVERYTHING). SO!� How could he know, otherwise, that these songs, in particular, were amongst my most beloved Mathis songs? Ninety percent of the show bill included� my absolute favorites.� What a heavenly evening!! |
| I added my picture just above the roses along with the following text: Multitudinous blessings and love to you forever, your adoring fan, Marquita, the original "Maria Dia" This picture was taken at the backstage door at the old McCormick Place in Chicago. January, 1966. (I may have stated the wrong year to him--it's been so long). |
| IT WAS "HEAVENLY,--SO HEAVENLY" THAT'S HOW IT FELT WHEN HE SANG TO ME I CAN STILL HEAR HIS ANGELIC VOICE SINGING--- "...that all I longed for long ago was YOU" |
 |
 |
| JOHNNY "ANGEL" IS WONDERFUL, WONDERFUL |
 |