Thank you, Mr. King

Sometimes, it all just comes together.

I was sitting in my loaner wheelchair early. If my "pusher" had been inside already, she could have pushed me to the handicap area earlier.

As it was, the venue was nearly full when my mom walked in with A & S and other good friends she'd just run into. My friend's husband pushed me up to the handicap area.

There wasn't much room left which put me on the outside. When they brought him in on the cart to switch him over to the wheelchair to bring him to the stage he was a few feet from me.

we applauded as he passed by. A legend. A true blues great. On his 80th birthday celebration tour.

His band was phenomenal. The smooth saxophones, trumpet, guitar, piano. All so talented. And he's still got it.

His singing and tales delighted the crowd. Despite the downpour, the show was amazing.

A & S were well under the handicapped tent, as was my mom, well mostly. I had some nice gentleman's umbrella, and a trash bag over my splint. Sure I was getting a bit wet, but with the king of blues on stage and the pain pills, I didn't care.

When the lightening started, they cut him short. Some of his band had stopped accompanying him songs ago. But he wanted to keep going. His manager came up to the soundboard and cut the power.

They brought him back up in the wheelchair, and as he was walking back to the golf cart he paused beside me. He stuck out his hand. I took it in mine and shook it, thanking him personally. Then he said he saved something for me.

He reached into his pocket and pulled out guitar picks for me and my leg rest (a.k.a. my mom).

I was absolutely giddy. My mom was still staying with me after the show. I couldn't sleep. I told her this was the silver lining. It may even have made all of the rest of it worth it.

Even in my craziest dreams, I have never imagined I would ever get to meet and personally thank B.B. King for an incredible night of amazing music in the company of wonderful friends.