I just met Chuck Norris! WoooW!!!
Way back 25 years ago, when I was in the 11th grade, a very wise teacher had us to list out some goals and dreams that we would love to achieve. In this day and age, it’s called a Bucket List. So, my 17 year old self that was shy, backwards and horribly awkward, thinks of a few things that will satisfy the teacher and turns them in. All of the items are in random order, with the exception of the first thing! It is the most important.
- Meet Chuck Norris
- Fly in an airplane
- Travel Overseas
- Ride on a train
- See Washington Redskins play
- Go on a Cruise
- Visit the Statue of Liberty
I must admit. Number 2 and 3 were a given. Not much faith required there. My Dad had sent my brothers overseas for a graduation present and I was graduating the next year, so that was easy.
Fly in an airplane – First time in 1986 and since then I have flown several times. I love it. Will fly anywhere you send me.
Travel Overseas – My Graduation trip (1986) was to Germany, Austria and Switzerland! An amazing 12 days was spent seeing the castles, learning the history and taking in the breath taking scenery of the area.
Ride on a train – I was able to ride on a train through the Swiss Alps. We stopped for a snowball fight with complete strangers as well as students and adults that were traveling with us. The train ride was an experience to remember.
Visit the Statue of Liberty – I have always adored Lady Liberty. She is so beautiful, strong and a symbol of hope for many coming to the United States for the first time. Completely unexpected, my Dad sent me, my sister Angie, my Step Mom and my Cousin Mike to New York for a 4 day weekend. We stayed in New Jersey and took a train into New York everyday. We were able to visit the Statue of Liberty as well as take the elevator up to her crown and look out over the city. I completely enjoyed it, even though I’m horribly afraid of heights. That trip also allowed us to visit the top of the World Trade Center – for which I’m eternally grateful for such a gift. Again, the fear of heights kept me close to the wall and away from the railing – but I am able to say that I have that memory. The memories of this trip is full of great laughter as people tripped over luggage or the curb of the side walk several times before we made it home safe and sound.
See the Washington Redskins Play – This was during a time when Charlotte NC did NOT have an NFL team. I had the privilege of having this dream come true on a basket ball court! The Washington Redskins played the Miami Dolphins in a charity event at the UNCC college campus not far from my house. My Dad found out about it and took me to see them. Hey – the sheet didn’t say that it had to be a football game now did it? Mark another one off!! Side note – years later, when we did get a team, stadium and the works, I was able to see them play a few times.
All of this has happened in a matter of a few years. I’m down to 2 items, Meet Chuck Norris and go on a cruise. Every new movie that came out, I’d watch, desire and wish more, but honestly….do I stand a chance of meeting him, naaah.
Go on a Cruise – 1990, I’m several months pregnant and another dream is about to come true. My Dad sends me and my step mom on a 4 day cruise to the Bahamas. I’m so excited as I get to fly again and mark one more thing off of my list. The plane ride is wonderful. I’m sick, but blame it on the baby as I had never been sick when flying before. We enjoy the wonderful dinners, the shows, the tours, the island and the ocean – the vast, wonderful ocean. Every night, we would park ourselves out on the top deck and sleep, listening to the sounds of the ocean gently rocking us back and forth, cradling us in this dream come true.
Steve has always known of my fascination of Chuck Norris. When I met Steve, I used to have a small 3×5 framed picture of Chuck Norris in my room. Somewhere over time, that picture has disappeared, but the desire never did. It only grew as more movies came out and then Walker Texas Ranger leapt onto the scene. Chuck Norris was playing in a new episode every week, right in my living room. I’d watch the episode, secretly despising Alex Cahill for always getting kidnapped or needing to be rescued. I’d watch the movies with great joy and hope of meeting this TV star that was virtually unreachable.
In 2003, I revised my list as I had crossed off everything but one item. I make the additions while sitting beside the ocean during Memorial Day weekend. My kids were 12 and 8, and because my Dad’s heart was giving out and his death was in the near future, I was in a situation where I was thinking about life, it’s ending and I decided That the list should be updated with more goals and dreams. A few of the new items are:
- Visit and do something in all 50 States.
- Stay at the Hotel shaped like a sail in Dubai
- Start a Non Profit and make dreams come true.
- Read a book a month
- Read through the Bible multiple times
- Visit the Equator
This is just a few of the items that are on that list. I’ll post the list elsewhere at some point. The point is, the number 1 item was still just that…Number 1 and never going to be crossed off. (Just being honest here.)
Social media is amazing. I love twitter and the many, many connections and friends I have made. I love learning about others and developed a list of things about me that I often share with others. Number 6 on that list is I have wanted to meet Chuck Norris since I was 17. (Really, can you help with this?) I share this list weekly as well as talk about meeting him and on his birthday this year, the entire day I tweeted Chuck Norris Facts. Many have seen the Chuck Norris request and have asked, emailed and tried to get me to him. YOU know who you are and I Thank you!!
Every March 10th – I send out my usual Happy Chuck Norris Day email. It’s his birthday and it’s just what I do. I may talk about what he has done, his code of ethics, his career, and his handsome good looks or just rattle off my favorite Chuck Norris facts. I usually add pictures because one can never have to many pictures of Chuck Norris.
I sat beside the ocean January 1st, 2010 and dreamed of what this year would hold. Never in a million, bazillion years would I have guessed that I would be writing this article. Never. In fact, I talk about meeting Chuck Norris, laugh at my favorite jokes, but had just decided that it would never happen. He turned 70 this year and in my heart of hearts, I felt that there was no way that I would ever get to meet him.
May 12, 2010 I get an email that said Chuck Norris is going to be in Charlotte on Friday at the NRA Convention. Well, the convention center was 10 minutes from where I was sitting. I hop online and it’s sold out. Wouldn’t you know it? So close but so far away. Friday, I’m pouting on facebook. I even make a statement like ” Ugggh!!! How can I be soooo close….and yet sooo far away?!?!?!? *pouting* what in the world?!? [shaking head]
Friday afternoon, my cousin Mike calls and tells me to check my email. A sales guy just left their office, leaving them with none other than tickets to the NRA at the convention center – which in HIS mind and MY mind equals ONE THING!!! OH my GOSH, I get to meet Chuck Norris!! I pick up the tickets, HUG my cousin and float through my night.
In line on Saturday morning, to purchase the book Black Belt Patriotism, it hits me…Today, I’m going to meet Chuck Norris! The tears start flowing. I get the book and get in line. Not far from the front of the line, Todd turns me around and points and sure enough – there HE is! WOOOOW!! I see him!!! I’m going to actually meet and talk to him! (more tears) We wait patiently! He’s been signing books and chatting for a while, now. I’m speaking with one of his workers and seeing that Todd and I are next in line when the worker tells me that Chuck Norris is going to take a break for a little bit. I laugh!!! How funny is that! I’ve waited 25 years to meet him and he walks away! I tell the worker that I’m tweeting that, and send outa tweet that said I was “next in line to meet Chuck Norris and he leaves….come back!!!” He watches, making sure that I’m not sneaking a photo. Altho, I’d love to have a photo with him, but that just was not the case today.
You are looking at a Dream Come True!
He comes back, I extend my hand and Chuck Norris shakes it. I clasp his hand with my left hand and I’m giggling like a child on Christmas morning holding the best present ever! I look him in the eyes and get the chance to tell him that I’ve wanted to meet him since I was 17 and have waited for these 25 years. He doesn’t rush us. He listens and even comments that me wanting to meet him for so long is sweet. He looks up and smiles, says Thank you, calls me by my name and shakes my hand again. *grinning* “I TOUCHED Chuck Norris!!” I think to myself! I do the 2 handed hand shake again…I have his hand in BOTH my hands!! Wow..my heart is pounding. It’s racing. I just met Chuck Norris! I tell Todd to shake his hand, and he does. Todd then takes a picture of “the hand” that shook Chuck Norris’s hand and facebooks it. It’s nice to see my son excited! I call Angie first. I’m crying and can hardly speak. I met him!!! She laughs with me! She knows how I’ve desired this for all these years.
I gaze at my autographed book. With the hundreds of people that were there today, he will not likely remember me, unless he remembers the silly “older lady” that bounced over to his table immediately following the first break, giggling like crazy. (and clapping) But me…well, I will never, ever forget that today is the day that a 25 year old dream came true. Never! I can’t even begin to express how I’m feeling. How my heart is full of unspeakable joy. It is just amazing that this dream has now come true.
My best friend and her husband called to “check on me” later on in the evening. The only way I could describe myself was that I was “paralyzed with JOY” – I was (am) so happy that I didn’t know what to think or do. I tried to write this article earlier and the words wouldn’t come. My heart was soaring well beyond cloud 37 ½!
What dreams do you have? Do you feel like they are simply out of reach? Have you waited 10, 20 or 30 years and still have not had your dream come true. Don’t give up. Don’t! While this may seem very insignificant in the realm of things, it has always been important to me. I’ve joked about it, laughed about it…and have desired it greatly. Don’t give up. Keep Dreaming and then move in the direction of your dreams!
I called my Mommie today. I told her, Mom…guess what?!? Finally, mom, finally. I met Chuck Norris…can you believe it? With that, the tears started again. I could hardly talk. I Love you Mom! I’m so glad I could share my joy with you!
Angie said: "Step away from the signature....step away!" I can't stop gazing!
[whispering….] Hey Dad….guess what Daddy? (Tears falling) Did you see today? I got to meet Chuck Norris! [nodding] and it was completely awesome! I touched him and everything. I wish you were here….I do. I miss you so.
{{{HUGS}} Yall.
© 2010 – 2011, Spreading Joy. All rights reserved.
How wonderful when our dreams come true. I’m so glad you got to meet Chuck Norris and I’m sure your dad was watching over you overjoyed for you. May the rest of your list come true for you to xx
‘Paralysed with joy’ on earth Marie ..wow ..wait till ya meet Jesus… isn’t it so affirming of our Lord when so unsolicited He just gives ya the desires of your heart. I am so glad he has blessed ya like this… hhmmmm maybe NC is the place of blessing I got to tour the Charlotte Nascar circuit in 03 which is for me ..similar to you meeting Chuck… “NC nice one day, a blessing the next.”
@Sara – now the rest of the list will be utter bliss…just pure fun, enjoying whatever comes my way! Thank you for reading and for taking the time to comment!
@Soulsupply – I can not even begin to imagine the joy in heaven…I don’t think our hearts can even picture it..wow the thought. That is so cool about the Nascar Circuit. If you ever come back, I’ll have to make sure I find you!! You always inspire!! Thanks for all you do over at http://www.soulsupply.com love that place.
{{{HUGS}}} Yall
I’m crying too. So, dreams do come true.
You look like a girl who’s dreaming in the bottom picture. It’s a really nice picture.
Thanks so much for sharing all this. Warmed my heart and gave me encouragement I needed!
Thank you, spreading Joy!!!
wow – thank you @deep_blue_water – my little sister @marrangee (Angie) met me for lunch afterwards and we had all finished eating. They were talking and I couldn’t resist one more look at the book…the signature…the dream that had just come true. She was talking still, so I wasn’t even paying her any attention and she snuck and took the picture.
I’m glad that you are encouraged and your heart is warmed. I love being apart of that. Never give up on your hopes and dreams. Spreading JOY is a dream too…
I’m glad to have you in my world!! {{HUGS}} and thank you for what you mean to me.
Hi! Glad I could hear the picture episode 🙂 It’s nice too.
You are really living out your name “SpreadingJoy”. I’d like to follow your way too 😉
Thank you for the encouragement about my dream! I’ll pray and want to stick to it!
I’m amazed how we came to know each other. Who you are and what you do inspire me so much and I am glad God allowed me to know you through the internet. I’m also thankful to you that you’ve been so friendly and kind to me.
Always wishing your happiness!
Love,
deep_blue_water
I don’t usually read long posts but this one I did
I am so happy for you, Marie!!!!!!!
{{{ God has blessed you with this dream come true!!!}}}
Now guess what?
My HUSBAND looks like Chuck Norris LOL
Not so much these days because after we had children I must admit he lost quite a bit of hair, but when we first married and spent our honeymoon in Brazil, yes, many people used to say he looks like Chuck Norris
Looking again, he does…. and now I’m glad to know Chuck Norris is actually a black belt patriot, I’ll buy his book!!
HUGS from Jackie
I am so happy for you. I am also happy for Chuck Norris, because he met a person who has consistently championed him for so long.
I think being a celebrity must be so rough and lonely: you’re the cat’s meow one day, the next day all your movies are in the $2 bin at the discount store. I think you’ve made an old movie star very happy.
You DO spread joy, Marie.
Samantha
Oh Marie!!!
By the time I got through reading this, I was in tears. I’m just so happy for you, and I could fel your excitement coming out from your words. How overwhelming it must have been for you to achieve somthing so significant in your life!
The back story was absolutely gorgeous by the way. What a beautiful bucket list. 🙂
I’m so happy for you! ♥
Love this, Marie! So happy you got to meet The Man!
Marie,
I’ve already told you how happy I was for you….even though I had called you on Friday to pick on you about being so close and yet so far away. God is TRULY AMAZING to have seen this desire in your heart and LOVED you so much that He made a way for it to happen. Just like the song says “God likes to work, when NOTHING else will.” Love ya kid and want you to know that you’re a true blessing in our lives.
If I could be all knowing for just long enough to make a list like yours, I would choose to be able to read a post like this where someone who spreads joy to others has a moment of unadulterated joy for herself. This post is 100% you and you are 100% authentic. No wonder God presents you with so much need and blesses you time after time.
So happy for you!! Remember, God is rewarding you for the joy that you spread!
Wow – the replies are amazing! You guys are so loved here! Thank you for taking the time to read such a long post. I felt the history was necessary so you could see how very long this dream took to come about.
{{HUGS}} yall!
@deep_blue_water the feeling is likewise! YOU are amazing and I’m so glad that technology has bridged the gap of how far away many are. I can’t imagine my days without friends like you. You bless me. Keep Dreaming.
@Jackie – wow.. how awesome for you!!! That has got to be so wonderful and pretty cool. Thx for how you encourage me!
@Samantha hmm..had not thought of it in that fashion. But he has so many who champions him… I’m stil in awe of the entire event.
@Candi – overwhelming…yes, that describes it. Still floating – still amazed. Thx for all you do, for how you keep the smiles coming.
@Sam – The Man – totally!! *smiling* Thank you for all you do, for how you make a difference everday. You encourage me so much! I’m honored to have you in my world.
@Jeanne wow, you know I love you so much! Thank you. You know I never expected this in a million years… I am so blessed…thx for being the bestest friend ever.
@mcProdigal wow – thank you for those amazing words. I’m glad for the needs being sent my way and yes, I’m so very blessed. I can’t believe the many miracles that I get the honor of seeing. I’m so thankful for that and for the friends that help along the way.
@Mike – I never would have even went on Saturday had you not called the 2nd time and told me about the book signing. I would have given up on this because I couldn’t get to the speech he gave on Friday. YOU were a vital part of this dream coming true and there are no words to thank you. Oh..and do you know how much I giggled while writing about the new york trip?? do ya? yeah..I think you do. Mercy – the memories. Hey – I think my Dad just elbowed your Dad and said…hey – look at those 2… they are pretty awesome. [nodding] You are amazing! I love you.
Marie,
I agree with others who have commented, I appreciate the fact that you Spread JOY to so many and know how to appreciate your own joy as well. I’ve always loved that about you. (of course, meeting you face to face is on MY bucket list!)
I especially like this post for another reason, it speaks to the hear of where I begin with all my clients. After all, my unique Purpose is “helping people with dreams become leaders with vision.” One of the first projects nearly all of my clients must begin right away is their Dream Inventory, a list of AT LEAST 100 DREAMS – what they want to have, to do, to become… I later teach them a special way to prioritize their top dreams in the right way, turn them into goals and achieve them, and use them to discover and articulate their unique purpose in life, but many are achieved along the way just by focusing on them and writing them down.
I thought you and your readers might want to read more about the power and meaning of listing one’s dreams. Search “dreams” at http://purposeandnow.com and keep scrolling and reading my archives, or go directly to http://bit.ly/errdyh or http://bit.ly/bynEo4 for a couple of good ones. If you want help with stimulating your Dream Inventory, just let me know. I’d love to help your friends experience more of the unique JOY that comes from this practice, that as you say, can and should be continued throughout life.
Oh, and if anyone does invest time in looking at these resources, check out one of my favorite articles inspired by Marie WIkle herself – “Don’t Drop Your Monkey Cup!” – a wonderful piece about Values that is closely related to how you dream and what you dream of. http://www.purposeandnow.com/2009/08/dont-drop-your-monkey-cup.html
Bless your heart today!
Oh man! I’m so happy you’ve got this beautiful memory.. But I’m blubbering because of your very last paragraph…Your dad sounds like he was a generous & kind, awesome dad. I can see his legacy of generosity and kindness in you… Now I understand better just how you got to be so awesome : ) xo
🙂 thank you. He would have been thrilled for me to meet chuck Norris.
His birthday was just last week. Aug 16.
I miss him so.
I’ve been praying for you guys!!
Wow!…
By the time i was done reading this article, i realized i had been smiling broadly. The kind of smile that comes from understanding what true joy at a fulfilled dreams feels like.
I sure am happy that you got this. You did want it so badly *laughing*…
You know, one person i have always dreamed of meeting and even singing with is Don Moen -you know that gospel singer don’t ya? Funny thing is i still reminded my sister about this few weeks ago. Now after reading this, i am definitely going to keep dreaming! *smiling*…
Beautiful article.
you made me smile!! you know, doen moen is on twitter right? hmm? and he still travels and such. i bet we could find a concert that you could at least hear/meet him. now the singing with him part, that would be very cool for sure!
what is your twitter handle?
and thank you for taking the time to read and share your dream here! i love that!
{{HUGS}}
yes i do know he is. Im far away in Nigeria so i dont know when he ll ever come down here… But there’s no harm in believing; you never know *smiling*… twitter handle is @kereniyere1 . We follow eachother already. You do a great job. Much blessings . Hugs back