The wonderfully-named Jimmy Stewart wrote: "WELL, in they walked, one after the other as my jaw hit the floor. Kilauren sat in front of me, Larry Klein in front of Rick, and Joni sat in front of Janine! It was the closest I've ever been to Joni."
CONGRATULATIONS, Jimmy, Coyote Rick, and Janine! For your good fortune, as well as your impeccable behavior. You done us proud! Your happy surprise reminds me a little of my own Brush With Greatness in October of 1998. After returning from Joni's concert in suburban Detroit to our very nice hotel, where we had already met Joni earlier that afternoon, a few JMDLers and I wandered into the hotel restaurant, where a good number of our group were already assembled. I sat down at the table and was probably chatting up a storm when somebody poked my arm gently and pointed backward. Well, my jaw dropped to about 10 feet lower than the floor: there, at the table behind us, sat Joni, Larry Klein, Brian Blade, and a few others whose names I can't recall at the moment. Suffice it to say that, for the greater part of an hour, one side of my chair was *back to back* with Joni's as she enjoyed what I hope was a very good dinner. And for the first time in my life, I was stunned into silence! Mary P. NP in my head: "I remember that night when you told me, love is touching chairs." Or something like that. ;-)
