Haply I Think on Thee...The 2010 Beauty & the Beast Convention

Even though I heard it often enough over the years, I didn’t quite believe that Linda Hamilton would NEVER come to a convention. I mean, thinking that things are impossible is just not what being a Beauty & the Beast Fan is all about – in my opinion. And it was just so wonderful to be there when the “impossible” actually came true in San Diego!


I have to say, though, that it was also pretty nerve wrecking.

There were subtle differences in the way things were being done.  Such as a long list of rules read each day about how to treat the guests. And just the fact that they were being called “guests” - with not even so much as a pronoun to give us a clue. Then, on Saturday morning, July 10th, we were given wristbands to use for the autograph line. That was the last straw. I said to my long time friend and roommate, who was on the organizing committee, “Is there something you’re not telling me?” She said something like, “I don’t know what you’re talking about.” But it was more how she said it, you know? I tried a few other people and got similar answers - and with each one I got more and more nervous!

I’ve met her before, but I’ve never see her do a Q&A, so I guess I was worried about how that would go. But she was her usual nice, sweet self…and surprisingly funny too. It seemed to me like she gave sincere answers.

The thing that really stood out to me was when someone asked her what she would be if she wasn’t who she is. She thought about it for a long time, and then didn’t have a particular profession in mind, but just said that she would want to be someone who makes a positive impact on others.

As if she hasn’t done that?!?

That surely stunned those of us who have been so inspired by Catherine. At least, I know you could have knocked me over with a feather. It’s kind of sad actually; I think that we never really know the impact that we have on others. And I think that’s why we wanted her there at a convention so badly – to make sure she knows how we feel. Thankfully, Winter Rose and Vicky spoke up and attempted to give voice to what I was thinking. I wanted to jump up and join in the chorus too, but I just couldn’t get my brain to work – I had no idea how to really say what I was feeling: That even if she had been a doctor, nurse, firefighter, or all of the above, she could not have made more of a positive impact on me.

Then, to my surprise, I did get a chance later. When it was my turn to get her autograph, she asked me an unusual question. She said, “Are you having a good life?” I said, “Yes, in large part, due to all of this.” She asked if I have a lot of good friends here at the convention, and I said “Yes, but it’s also what the show inspired me to reach for in life.” She was still looking at me, so I went on and said, “How can you say you haven’t had an impact? You really have – you don’t have to be a doctor or nurse to have an impact on people.”

Did I say that?!  I hope that it was taken gently, as it was meant, and not as a reprimand. I was so worried afterward that I might have seemed like a “crazy” fan – because of that comment, and because I hung around in the back of the room after meeting her, shamelessly loitering, just wanting to see her meet other people. I couldn’t help myself. I figured that since my convention roommate was one of Linda’s handlers, I could maybe get away with it. : )

Backing up a bit, I did get to ask her a question during the Q&A. I had just thought of something and put my hand up and then the moderator said, “We have time for one more question…” OMG, I got the last question – that was really huge – it had better be a good one. I asked her why she thinks her career took the turn it did, playing many characters that have the strength theme going on. (I had just watched “Silent Night” over the 4th of July weekend and it was fresh in my mind how much like Catherine that character was.) The only problem is that I really don’t remember what Linda’s answer was!

Maybe I’m a bit prejudice, but I really thought that she stood out from other guests we've had over the years. Not just because she’s Linda Hamilton and it was her first time there with us after 20+ years of conventions. But because in addition to bringing three personal items to donate to the Charity Auction, she also donated directly to the charity!  She announced that she was writing a check for $1,000 right then and there to the Monarch School of San Diego. She also stayed longer than she originally said and read the Winterfest lines beautifully at the banquet that night. I thought it was really cute that when we raised our candles up at the end of the reading, she raised the mic, because it was in her hand and candle-like, I guess, and she was just following along with what we were doing. : )
 
All in all, it was the surprise of a Beauty & the Beast Fan's lifetime - and I don’t think anyone could have hoped for it to go any better than it did.

'A Life Without Limits'

{On the 20th Anniversary (1987-2007) of the TV series Beauty & the Beast}



“You deserve a life without limits,” he said.

And, somehow, we knew that really was true.

Maybe no one ever told us that before -

At least, not in the clarity of exactly those words.

But, this time, for some happy reason, we believed it.



And at that moment, glimpsed a little bit of heaven,

In an otherwise Beastly world.

So we pressed forward - just a step-

And then another - and another-

Always following their Light.



“There is no life without limits,” she said.

But, somehow, we know that’s really not true.

For we have tested the limits of our own lives -

Until we can look back from the summit of 20 years,

And see the Beauty that has been created.