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A beautiful moment
12 years ago
I was reminiscing today about many of my past Anthrocons. Now I know lots of people say, “Oh, I just go to see my friends.” And “There’s nothing in the programming that interests me.” I sometimes feel sorry for those people, because there are so many amazing things that happen during the course of a convention that are in the event space. I was remembering such an event that happened at Anthrocon 2011.
Our guests of honor were Peter Beagle and Andy Runton. Both are charming individuals who I am indeed grateful to have gotten to know. During the “Meet the Guests of Honor” panel in the main ballroom, a question was asked, “What’s something involving your work that you remember the most vividly..or that meant the most to you?” Andy gave an answer that still warms my heart and makes me cry a little to this day.
He told the audience about something that happened to his fiancée. (She was not yet his fiancée at that time but she is now his wife.) Her father had passed away, and she did not have the opportunity to really say “goodbye” as she would have wanted to. Andy, being the amazing person that he is...had an idea. He drafted a comic where her character was interacting with her father. He actually created her father as a character in the comic. And in the comic, the two characters interacted and she had the opportunity to do what she wanted to in real life...to simply say “I love you” and “Goodbye”.
As I’m writing this recount of that evening, I’m tearing up a little. I can tell you that the entire main ballroom (including Gale, his fiancée) was very emotional and I was crying myself as Andy told this story. It’s an amazing gift that we all have to really touch someone’s life using the talents that we have. Perhaps it’s a small thing to create a character in a comic. But it meant the world to one person.
Whenever you go to a convention, or to any event, perhaps take a moment to realize that there is more out there than just “talking about animals” or "the same old stuff". At any given moment, something special can happen at a panel. You can receive a revelation about our own human condition. Or maybe you will discover that you really can make a difference in someone’s world...with little more than a kind heart and some lines on a piece of paper.
Thanks Andy for sharing that story. You are one special little night owl.
That was very touching
Both these men helped me during a time a great trail in my life and in many ways are the foundation for why I still do what I do for Anthrocon. I, too, can't help but shed a few tears remembering that same day.
Thank you for bringing this back to my memory. It once, again, served a great, healing purpose for my life right now.
I myself try and attend some of the panels at any given con. To me it is a part of the convention experience. Of course though I can't disagree with the people who only go to cons to be around their friends, because well being so distant from all of your friends can be difficult. This is an experience I myself endure because I am halfway across the world from all of the American friends I have here in Scotland. I have a good group of friends who keep me going over here too, but that doesn't stop me from missing everyone I know in the USA.
We have an incredible fandom, it is a very united one for the most part. Sometimes we have the odd crazy one, but I have yet to meet people in the fandom I don't really like.
KP that almost made me cry. It is so wonderful to hear the different ways things inspire the amazing artists on here. It allows us a little glimpse into their mind whether it is art, comics, storytelling and even music.
Thank you for sharing this with us.
And I certainly agree with you on all points there, KP! Conventions can really be a magical time for many, many reasons! :D
There is so much beauty in this world in everything around us. It doesn't take too much recognition to see that everything around us is unique in it's own way.
For example here's my thought on something I find beautiful.
It's a person who acts selflessly to help others when he feels they need it, and sometime when they don't. He's a person who can carry a professionalism with him regardless of what bogs him down, a person who understand moral, ethics, and individualism. A smile that can't help but be returned by everyone else around him, the same smile that accompanies the cheeriest of personalities that is not unlike a kid in a candy store.
Talking about myself? hah, I only wish I was more like you.
I am also guilty of this tendency to just 'hang out' at a furry convention.
But I actually do get most of my enjoyment from the behind the scenes.
You are more likely to find me behind the stage or doing other volunteer work because I enjoy helping others to have their fun and enjoy 'putting on the show'.
This is the most enjoyment I get from the convention; by helping to actually create the entire event.
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