<\/p>\n
I <\/span>One wonders if there is any criterion Ancient Though I I So I I realized We <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" I signed a few autographs at a show the other day and it occurred to me what a bizarre ritual this is. Fellow humans want you to sign your name and give it to them as a remembrance of our encounter. I have never asked fans for their autograph in return but they want mine…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":223,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[2,1,3],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-23","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-christian-living","category-comedy","category-news-and-current-events"],"yoast_head":"\n
\nsigned a few autographs at a show the other day and it occurred to me what a
\nbizarre ritual this is. Fellow humans want you to sign your name and give it to
\nthem as a remembrance of our encounter. I have never asked fans for their
\nautograph in return but they want mine anyway. Perhaps to document I actually
\nexist outside a DVD? It’s a keepsake that proves A) I’m not illiterate, and B)
\nThey are willing to humble themselves and ask for a piece of me to take home.<\/span><\/p>\n
\nthat legitimizes an autograph? If I decide to sign my name left-handed for
\nexample is that considered a forgery? What if I spell my name wrong or write it
\nin a way that I never did before? If I use hieroglyphics does it count? <\/span><\/p>\n
\ntribes used to fear photographs being taken of them because they thought it might
\nsteal their soul. I wonder if the autograph seeker doesn’t lose a part of his
\nsoul by wanting another beings name to revel in? Autographs are a vicarious
\nthrill for the autograph collector. It is a strange form of idolatry as it
\nfinds value in proving someone they admire was in their presence. It doesn’t
\nhonor the signer as much as lift up the collector by carrying this “talisman”
\naround to show others who you’ve been next too. <\/span><\/p>\n
\nthe autograph seeker could conceivably be honoring you by believing your
\nautograph is valuable and cherished is it what really matters? Or is it instead
\nthe communal encounter of two people who respect each other? <\/span>I was in Florida a number of years ago.
\nI was performing at a comedy club in a hotel there. One day I was walking from
\nmy room to the restaurant outside the hotel and glanced at a man standing in
\nthe parking lot looking towards the building obviously waiting for someone.<\/span><\/p>\n
\ncontinued to walk a few more steps and then suddenly, it hit me. That was Ted
\nWilliams! If you are not a baseball fan then that may not mean much to you but
\nif you are you know that this was the Holy Grail of a sighting. If you could
\nmeet one of the most renowned people in any field of endeavor, a legend, an
\nicon, that<\/i> is Ted Williams to
\nbaseball-ophiles. It would be the equivalent of meeting Abraham Lincoln to a
\npolitical junkie. He’s Caruso to opera fans, and he’s Moses or Paul to
\nChristians. He’s that big. <\/span><\/p>\n
\nhave never been star struck and only as a kid did I collect autographs at
\nbaseball games. I didn’t want to bother him but as I strolled further away I
\nstarted to evaluate the situation more thoroughly. This is TED WILLIAMS!! My
\ndilemma was Ted was never known for being gracious and cordial to reporters or
\nfans. But I said to myself ” I have to meet this guy, what’s the worst that
\ncould happen, he tells me to get lost?” <\/span><\/p>\n
\ndecided I would go back and if he was still there I would go approach him. I
\nreturned and sure enough there he was so I walked straight up to him and said “excuse
\nme sir” he looked at me and said “yeah?”, I said ” I just wanted to shake your
\nhand, I know Ted Williams when I see him”. He kind of half smiled-smirked and
\nshook my hand. Then I said ” I have a baseball card of yours worth $250.00. He
\nsaid ” hang on to it, it’s going to be worth more”. Then I said ” what are you
\ndoing here, golfing?” and he said “yeah” but by this time already he was
\nchecking out of the dialogue and going back to looking for his friend. <\/span><\/p>\n
\nmy audience with Ted was over so I walked away. It lasted maybe 30 seconds but
\nI never forgot it. I didn’t ask for or get his autograph. I just shook his hand
\nand said I admired him. That is enough for me. That experience is in my head
\nand heart and will stay there till I die. <\/span><\/p>\n
\nChristians often consider what we’ll ask God when we get to heaven but rarely
\nconsider what God will ask us<\/i> when we
\nget there. I know now. For me the first thing God will say is ” Welcome home
\nson…now, how in the heck did you not ask for Ted Williams autograph when he’s
\nstanding right there?! What are you stupid?” of which I will have to reply “apparently”.
\n <\/span><\/span><\/p>\n