My friend, neighbor and co-worker, Lori, was the brave soul who volunteered to watch Raquel. She hasn't watched her since she was a baby, but has followed our blog and is very much aware of what is going on because of our regular conversations. I took Raquel to work with me one day this week so she could "play" with Lori and get familiar with her. I spoke with her ABA therapists this week about leaving her, and they were all in agreement that I should. After all, I am entitled to get out and have a little fun. I do have to admit that I literally had my cell phone in my hand the entire night - just waiting for Lori's call saying she was having problems and I needed to come home. But, she never called.
The concert was fantastic. I have never experienced a more uplifting, positive, make you feel good concert - and I've been to many! It was all about singing, dancing, good energy and just having a great time. Gabby couldn't believe all the people there. Of course she had to dress up. Please don't call her a cat - she was a "cheetah." (See my cell phone? I wasn't joking, Lori!)
Gabby doesn't quite understand the celebrity part of it and kept asking me why there were so many people, which made it even more enjoyable watching her reactions to strangers screaming to them onstage - especially Toca. She truly is his biggest fan. And he did amazing. We are so proud of you, Toca!!! xoxo. Here we are backstage before they went on. My girl knows how to work that pink hat.
Besides being just over the top entertaining, one of the coolest things they do is creating a stage backdrop where you can email/text pictures to a website and have them randomly displayed throughout the show. Of course, I had to send a few. And guess what happened? During the very start of "I'm Yours" - Raquel's therapy song that I've posted so much about - she was displayed right on the big screen. Mike, Gabby and I screamed, "Raqi!!" at the top of our lungs, and it literally brought tears to my eyes, especially considering they had reserved a ticket for her as well and I was sitting next to her empty seat. They showed her picture three times during her song. It was very touching.
The concert went longer than I had expected and I was, again, clinching my cell phone and dealing with major anxiety all the way home - even though Mike kept reminding me that Lori would have called if there was a problem. When we pulled up to the house - after 1am - the lights were on and my heart sank. I ran in to the house to find Raquel greeting me at the door. I feared the worst, that she's been beyond difficult and Lori, being the kind hearted person she is, just wanted to deal with it so I could have a fun night. Turns out that Raquel had a great time with Lori! She slept twice for an hour each time, but I think she realized I wasn't home and couldn't get herself settled. Once we got home, she went right to bed for the rest of the night. Lori said she was not a problem at all. Hopefully Monday she won't tell me different. :-)
As far as Jason goes ... I have to say that he is one of the most genuine people you can ever meet. He knows about Raquel and how his music is part of her therapy. She was was one of the first things he asked about when he saw us. And he never hesitated to do this with Gabby - even though he needed to be other places.
This is the drum head he signed for her. He made it look like a pumpkin, thanked her for spending Halloween with him, and asked her to color it orange...
...which was the first thing she did this morning when she woke up.
Here is how "I'm Yours" sounded last night. It's actually taken right above where we were sitting! Enjoy!
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