A Couple of Goodbyes

Two major parts of my life have reached their conclusion, and within two days of each other. Now, those that know me, know I do not watch television apart from one show... LOST. (you may roll your eyes now, and I don't care)

One of best character shows on television presented the 2.5 hour finale on Sunday night and it was the most satisfying ending I could have hoped for. I cried probably 7 times, and I'm not ashamed to admit it. Over the course of 6 seasons, the writers developed characters and relationships that I cared for so deeply, and in the finale were all brought back together in such a clever, beautiful way. I mean, Charlie and Clare, I could cry now if I thought about it too long! I also think about the community I found with the show. Its amazing how a television show can bring people together. Lost nights started in college as "hot dog night", with my best friend Blair cooking up 2 dozen hot dogs and we'd see how many we could eat (the record was 9... with the bun). Over the years my viewing group changed, sometimes it was alone. My family joined in on the fun! And in NY, its such an immediate way to connect with strangers if you somehow stumble upon the fact that you are both Lost fans. Instant kinship. And Sunday night the journey concluded at my amazing friend, Ana's home. Surrounded by dear friends, munching on a much healthier dinner of zucchini pasta with raw pesto sauce, we cried our way through to the end of a 6 year relationship with several dear friends. So, Jack, Kate, Sawyer, Sayid, Hurley, Charlie, Clare, Locke, Sun and Jin and everyone else... miss you already!

The other, more tangible (and some might argue more relevant) conclusion would be my training at the William Esper Studio. Tuesday marked the final day of the two-year acting program, under the tutelage of Suzanne Esper. I cannot describe the transformation that has occurred in me in the past 24 months. It'd be too long to read and I don't want to write that much! Know this, my curiosity of the world exploded to a massive scope. Such a grand statement, I know, but it's the fascination of an actor. I told my buddy, Bob, the other day, the more I learn the more I realize I have to learn... but I love it! Sanford Meisner said it takes 20 years to train an actor. Well, 2 down, 18 to go!

LaVerne Nelson

One year ago, I was sitting in a hospital room with my dear, sweet grandmother (Gram). I'd flown to Dallas then driven to Waco straight to the hospital. My sister and I stayed the night. I'll never forget looking into her sweet eyes and although she could not speak, the look of recognition staring back at me said it all.
My Gram always had a plate of brownies waiting for me when I would stop by on my way home from college. Her home served as the perfect bathroom break/stretching stop between Austin and Dallas. She used to leave the funniest messages on my voicemail. I don't think she ever got the concept because she would basically have a one-sided conversation with me, complete with questions that would just hang in the air. I miss those.
I think we became the closest when I spent one year coaching basketball in a town just outside of San Antonio. It was a very lonely year for me, and due to the fact that I was working two jobs and lived 5 hours from Dallas, my closest "home" was Waco and Gram's house. I tried new recipes with her and she told me old stories from her past. I miss those weekends too.
Today and every Cinco de Mayo from here on out will always be a bittersweet day of memory.