Yesterday will be one of those days we shall all reminisce about 10, 20, 30 years from now.  It will always start with someone saying “Do you remember when Emmy broke her collarbone on the opening day of the Sound of Music… and still performed?”  And we’ll all nod our heads and laugh a bit at how amazing and crazy it all was.

I could tell this story from a lot of different perspectives, but I think I’ll just write it machine gun style based on the tidbits of information I know.

- Emmy, who takes extreme pleasure in playing basketball in gym against the guys, collides with Jesse.  Hard.  Much pain.  Pain that can only mean something is significantly wrong.  She says she’s fine.

- Grace witnesses the collision, goes with Emmy to nurse’s office.  Ice pack is procured.

- The realization sets in that this is going to be a bit more than an ice pack issue. 

- Emmy transforms into I WILL FIX THIS MYSELF mode.  Musical director is informed, Mom is called, cousin Magoo is taken out of class.

- Magoo drives Emmy WAY TOO FAST to hospital.  Mom on her way from Springfield.  Jake B. and I show up at hospital to offer support.

- Me to Emmy: “Your health is more important than the musical, if the doctor says you can’t perform…”  Emmy:  “I WILL PERFORM.”  Me:  “Well if he says…”   Emmy:  “I WILL PERFORM”  Me:  “I’m just saying…”  Emmy:  “I WILL PERFORM.”  Magoo:  “Emmy, you’re not listening…”  Emmy:  “Shut up cousin.”  Jake B:  “I think I’ll wait outside.”  Emmy:  “I WILL PERFORM.”

- Doctor – it’s broken.  Need a sling.  Need to keep still.

- Emmy tells the doctor how this thing is going to work, wraps her good hand around his neck, lifts him into the air, and forces him to give his permission for her to perform.  Thanks him, drops him, and marches out the door. 

- We all back away, protect our vital organs, call an exorcist and follow her out the door…. at a safe distance.

- Emmy and Magoo arrive a bit late to ready for the performance.  Their tardiness is excused.  The costumer manages to fashion three different slings to match her outfits.  A personal dresser is called upon to assist the one armed girl.

- Director explains to audience that a cast member will be in a sling.

- The curtain goes up.

- Emmy performs absolutely amazingly.  Her accident is alluded to in a stage improv.  The audience roars and claps. 

- The show is flawless and wonderful.  Emmy is a rock star.  Unwavering determination and a bit of adrenaline have allowed her to pull off an incredible feat.

- Magoo refuses to take part in allowing Emmy to go to the after performance get-together.  This clash of the titans actually ends in Emmy agreeing to go home and rest.  She MUST be hurt.

Seriously, I’ve joked, but what happened yesterday was terrible and so neat at the same time.  The terrible is pretty obvious.  She’s going to be in some significant pain for quite a while and I worry that these next performances may be even harder than last night.  But, I’ve no doubt she will make it through and perform with excellence.  The neat part was of course Emmy’s incredible will.  In addition, all those who rallied around her to offer support, encouragement, and praise was just further evidence that this new girl in town has been more than accepted.  She is loved and admired.

Now, get the heck OUT OF HER WAY!

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