Anticipating Disappointment

Donna Brazile is speaking in my neighborhood today at 12:30 pm.  I so want to be in the audience.

There is an admission price;  $10 for members of the sponsoring group, the County Section of the National Council of Jewish Women and $20 for those not members, such as me.  What a reasonable price for such a notable woman!  

Ms. Brazile, among other things is a CNN Political Strategist; and among other things was the campaign manager for former Vice-President Al Gore’s presidential campaign.  She was just recently seen all over TV weighing in on the political conventions.  She is a brilliant and beautiful black woman. 

I’m a prolific newspaper reader but didn’t see notice of this event until the September 6^th issue of a community paper received on that date.  “For more information call the NCJW…office  at xxx-xxx-xxxx. “  My daughter called immediately, left a message ordering two tickets and sent an email, requesting the same.  Several days later a response to both was received.  “Pay at the door.”   In answer to my question I learned the venue holds 200 people.  I’m thinking, that’s not enough seating for a personality like Donna Brazile.  Surely it will be sold out before I get there. 

Complicating matters for me, there was a prior 11 am appointment on my calendar  I couldn't miss.  Still I made it to the venue, secured a difficult to find parking space and was inside at the ticket table by 12:20.  It wasn’t sold out! ! !   Yet readers, by the time Ms. Brazile took the microphone every seat in the lovely auditorium was taken and I had a good one.  Outstanding!

When I started writing this my objective was to ‘cry foul’ for the absurdity of no advance sale of tickets or reservations held for someone of Donna Brazile's caliber.  But I was wrong.  The organization knew what it was doing; knew their market place.  I don’t believe anyone was turned away.  It was a gracious, informative time.  

If I had looked forward to the event in exciting anticipation, what a wonderful week I would have had.  Instead, I groused and complained over the late notification of a special opportunity I surely could not be a part of.  Oh woe was me.  But I was wrong.  My lesson, keep moving toward doing what you want to do, don't give up.  But most importantly, I think I must work on that popular mantra of several years ago, i.e., “Don’t Worry.  Be Happy”.