I’m not likely to ever forget what happened last night.
As we walked back to our room after dinner, two Caesars Palace employees asked if we wanted to see Elton John and handed us two tickets to sit on the upper deck. They said “You gotta go now,” which meant just as we were … no chance to apply lipstick or stop at the restroom. My husband and I took the tickets, stared at each other and ran!
At the theater we begin walking towards the upper deck but are intercepted by (nearly bump into) a man in a suit holding a walkie-talkie and wearing a mike. He says “I have great seats for you” and hands us two new tickets. “Watch your step and follow me.” Next thing we know we are seated on the front row! It’s a full house and Elton John is already playing. We do our best to calm our racing hearts and start taking it all in.
The show was great fun, slightly riske, very bright, upbeat. Elton John dazzled, charmed, wove his magic. The use of video, with passionate dance routines and inflatable props added mystique and spice.
During the performance of “Saturday” those of us in the front row were told we could go on the stage if we wanted to: of course, we did! We were a few feet away from him as he played and brought rhythm and magic and thunder out of the red piano. His focus was exquisite, even though he was surrounded by all of us. It was powerful, thrilling, inspiring … all at once.
Overall the show spoke to me of life purpose, trade-offs and coming full circle. The performance was a sort of account of a lifetime.
Suffice it to say this was a magical evening. But one of its most beautiful aspects was witnessing the talent, humility and especially the enormous sacrifice that a great performer makes in service of his purpose, his passion, his art. That, for me, was the thread that wove it all together. That is the call of true service … and we all hear it; sometimes more loudly than others: service to life, to our world, to our customers. Realizing that we have something unique to contribute and choosing to pursue it … making the sacrifices, becoming the heroes and sheroes of our own lives. And last night, Elton John rocked our worlds exemplifying it.
