A Testimony in Hollywood
The stilettos were the height of an average 2 year-old.
We aren't really Hollywood types but were graciously invited to an important event. So there we were.
In we walked. We gave our names and were escorted past several ropes causing me to think "aren't we special?"
Physically attractive humans abounded. I thought about a navy blue Ralph Lauren t-shirt in my closet that is likely older than many of the lightly clothed young ladies running to and fro. The music very loudly "pumped." If I have a groove, and I'm not sure I do, it was surely on.
I grew up loving Magic Johnson. In he walked with an Ivan-Drago-looking guy that could likely be seen from the Space Station.
Susan and I sat on a couch made of velvet. But I told Susan, "we've got to talk to him." So we approached Magic. I hadn't thought about what I would say as an intro. Here is what came from my non-surgically-enhanced-lips: "I love you." I told Magic Johnson "I love you." He looked at me and smiled. I followed with another winner: "You made growing up a lot more fun for me." We chatted for a few minutes. He could see that there was a one-directional bromance going on here and proceeded to break new ground for a celebrity. He ASKED ME if I wanted to take a photo together. "Do you have your phone?" he said. "Yes I happen to have it."
Dennis Rodman was on the patio. We made our way through a sea of young starlets. I told Suse she should break the ice. When Dennis turned toward us, my precious Central Valley girl said, "Hi, I'm Susan." He looked at her as though she might be speaking Turkish. So I intervened with the proverbial sideways handshake followed by light chest bump common among men of our stature.
But in this unlikely place, a swanky Hollywood club, the host of the evening brought incredible meaning to the night. Darren Prince, whose 50th birthday we were celebrating, took the microphone and gave one of the most authentic, powerful testimonies I've ever heard. He was dead in drugs and alcohol. Suicidal. Empty. He called out to God in New York City with a bottle of pills in his hand 12 years ago. He called out to God, and God set him free. The youngsters raised their quadruple-vodka cranberries in celebration of sobriety. But it was so powerful. Darren said, "I went from living to use, to using in order to live." He was trapped. But he's trapped no more. He gave thanks for the fact he is still alive to celebrate 50, and ALIVE he is.
As we drove to the event near the corner of Hollywood and Vine, I wondered "why are we doing this?" I'm so glad we did. In the middle of Hollywood. In the center of what can be a lot of darkness. This man gave a testimony to the power of God and the beauty of true freedom. A good night!
“I went from living to use, to using in order to live.” He was trapped. But he’s trapped no more. He gave thanks for the fact he is still alive to celebrate 50, and ALIVE he is.”