January, 2001
Thanks for stopping by and taking time to spend a little here. This month we have a special treat to share with you that Kelly and I will cherish as one of those very special moments that only come once in a lifetime at best!
The Johnsons have had the priviledge to befriend the Baliton family whom their daughter Toni is a classmate of our Amanda's. Wilmer and Cindy her parents are very nice and giving people that you enjoy being around and making a part of your lives. You all have probably had the same kind of experience in your own lives I'm sure so you know what I mean. Wilmer and Cindy's profession's are both related to the Hospitality sector and Human Resources area of the Hotel Industry, and so service to others is their aim and forte' of which we have been blessed to be the recipient of numerous times. This last weekend was no exception. They went to all the trouble to un-selfishly invite us to accompany them on a weekend outing to Las Vegas that included accomodations free of charge. Kelly and I gladly accepted and we thouroughly enjoyed ourselves with the Balitons and the kids.
"A New Face-Lift"
We haven't been to Las Vegas for years, I beleive 13 as a matter of fact for various reasons. Either it was too cold or too hot, and plus the fact that it isn't the kind of place that promotes a family athmosphere or a place that God would approve of us indulging as Christians. We thought and prayed on this one because we knew we would be in good wholesome company and Kelly and I really wanted to see all the new construction and shopping venue's we had heard of over the years. So we went, and we're we surprised! We didn't even recognize the place since our honeymoon trip in 1987. Except for the gambling element, it truely is a remarkable place now as it is in constant construction..
"The Encounter of a Lifetime"
We had to go to The Venitian Hotel as we had heard of this place that duplicates Italy to incredible detail right down to the Gondolas and their singing helmsmen's voices serenading it's occupants on a real life venitian water canal. So we are enjoying the sites taking in the beauty of the establishment, and a mime's incredible muscle control as he strikes some statuistic poses that would make you swear he wasn't real! Then as the six of us (the kids are over at Circus Circus wearing the roller coaster out, and Cindi's aunt and uncle are with us from Florida) move onward to more shops my wife Kelly out of the blue says, "Eric, there's Jeff Gordon". I look at her and say "what, what"? She says again "Jeff and his wife Brooke are over there in the sunglass shop". As Im looking into the little shop I say "No way honey" as Im noticing a young fit looking man walking toward the back of the shop. Then I notice an attractive well dressed lady off to the side in full profile view. My blood and nerves immediatly well up with nervousness knowing that familiar face of Brooke. That could only mean that the real Jeff Gordon, the driver that has made the number 24 Dupont Automotive Finishes Monte Carlo so famous is close by. So I home in on the man Kelly pointed out to me seconds earlier trying to get a for sure identification on him as he's walking away from me. By now without seeing his profile or his face, I figure it's him because Brooke was there.
"How do you Confront Greatness"
Have you ever been in a real life situation that requires you to be the best you could ever be and yet present yourself in a dignified and mature manner not to cause some sort of immature response? Here is one of those times that cries out "Be Calm and be Yourself". Ok, Jeff is beginning to turn around towards me about 15 feet away, and I begin to explain to Wilmer or somebody to get me some paper, get me some paper. Be cool and calm, here he comes, what am I gonna say. I'll say "Hi Jeff, how are you and Brooke doing"? Then all of a sudden Kelly just walks right up to Jeff and says, "Can I shake your hand Jeff"? Jeff looks at Kelly kind of surprised probably thinking, man they found me now. "Why sure you can" he says. He puts his bags down and Kelly proceeds to explain to Jeff that she and our daughter think he is just awesome on and off the track and that Amanda just thinks the world of him and how he's such a great influence on children and how much he has changed the sport to what it is today. For those who don't know what I'm talking about here, the sport is NASCAR racing on the Winston Cup level of which I consider the best automobile racers in the world and of which Jeff Gordon has won 3 championships in the last five years. Mind you he's only 28 years old now. So Kelly is thouroughly enjoying the moment and finishes as she notices Brooke across the way waving at her as did I. Well it looks like it's my turn now to meet the one for whom I consider the best driver there is besides Dale Earnhardt in the world! I just stick my hand out there and say "Hi Jeff, fancy meeting you here". He says "How are you doing, glad to meet you and where are you folks from"? I say "Southern California, would you mind giving me an autograph"? Jeff says "Why of course I will". I think it was Wilmer and maybe a storekeeper that produce the pen and paper that Jeff gladly offers his scribble, which he included the number "24". So I ask him, "Well, do you think the Chevys are ready for 2001 and are you happy with the equipment"? Jeff answers, "I think we have a real good package and Im pretty happy right now, looks like we're gonna be more consistant this year". Can you believe it, that old competative spirit comes out of me first before anything else. I used to race motorcyles in Motocross competition during the 1970's. So while Kelly is talking with Brooke Im taking in Jeff's demeanor and politeness and I notice his piercing eyes that measure up the competition on sundays like an Olympic Marksman with pinpoint accuracy. Jeff up close and personal is a very sharp and likeable guy that one would enjoy being around.
"When Do I Turn This Off"
I don't want to turn off this conversation, but Im thinking I don't want to be a bother or cause too much attention in the shopping mall to ruin Jeff and Brooke's private time, God knows they need as much as they can get. So I begin to cut it short but with one last thought to leave with him. I said to Jeff, "There is one thing I would like to say that I admire you for and that is that I really appreciate it when you give our God the glory for your accomplishments in life on the racetrack and on television. I know you get alot of flak from doing that but your doing the right thing". He immediatly says to me "Well God Bless Eric, we have a great God you know". I said "Amen to that and keep up the good work" (while giving him a pat on the shoulder). I look over at Brooke and Kelly and notice Brooke holding Kelly's hand and then she smiles at me with a wave also. Jeff picks up his bags and I proceed out of the store with autograph in hand and I say "Goodby and have a great day". Jeff says, "See you all later". I hear Brooke tell Kelly, "It was so nice meeting you". That was the end of it, right in the middle of hundreds of people and we we're the only two who knew who Jeff and Brooke Gordon we're! It was great to say the least. Plus, Kelly and I didn't tell anyone else who they we're not wanting to cause them anymore bother there.
"Final Thoughts"
Im a diehard Dale Earnhardt fan and his number 3 car. The Intimidator and that black number 3 is a sight to behold when he does that famous Earnhardt move underneath or drafts his competators like no other in so many last lap wins. But when it comes to a true gentleman and one heck of a race car driver, there's none better than Jeff Gordon. When Jeff first came to the NASCAR Winston Cup Series in 1993, we all knew he was gonna be great. We just didn't have a clue how great he would be. There are drivers that have been in this game for 10 to 20 years now that haven't even touched the edges of Jeff's accomplishments in Winston Cup that I'm sure are very envious. But, I believe Jeff and Brooke Gordon have been hand picked to be a spokesman for God and an ambassador for NASCAR that only they can provide so well. Now having first hand experience and meeting the Gordon's I most definately believe this to be true. I can't stress enough how gracious Brooke and Jeff we're with us in that little sunglass shop, they just genuinely wanted to meet us and be NASCAR kin. Kelly and I have been truly blessed and enriched because of our little chance meeting with the Gordon's of which we will forever cherish and wish them the best. See you at the track..........EJ
"THANK'S JEFF and BROOKE for being our NASCAR Friends"
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Jeff Gordon website link used by permission.