WHEN CATHY SAW CLAY, THROUGH MY SISTER'S EYES

[PHILLYLUVSCLAY]

HEY THERE, 

I WANTED TO TAKE THIS TIME AND TALK ABOUT MY SISTER CATHY, MANY OF YOU AT THIS SITE KNOWS ABOUT CATHY AND HER DAILY CROSS SHE CARRIES IN HER LIFE.  FOR THOSE WHO DON'T KNOW ABOUT HER, LET ME TELL YOU.

CATHY IS SPECIAL, SHE HAS CEREBRAL PALSY AND IS MENTALLY RETARDED.

MUSIC IS THE JOY OF MY SISTER'S LIFE.

AND CLAY, IS HER PRECIOUS GIFT OF SONG. SHE LOVES HIM SO..

EVERYTIME I WOULD TAPE SOMETHING FOR CATHY,  SHE WOULD LAUGH AND SMILE SEEING CLAY.

THIS YEAR, I WAS ABLE TO GIVE HER THE "GIFT"OF CLAY SINGING LIVE RIGHT IN FRONT OF HER.  BUT, INSTEAD CATHY GAVE ME A PRECIOUS GIFT.  I SAW CLAY THROUGH HER EYES.

WE WERE VERY FORTUNATE THAT THE CAMDEN CONCERT WAS ON THE DAY OF HER SCHEDULED VISIT HOME FROM SCHOOL ( CATHY LIVES AT A FACILITY THAT SPECIALIZES IN HER NEEDS) WE ALSO DECIDED TO KEEP HER HOME UNTIL THE NEXT DAY.   

WE BROUGHT PRESENTS FOR CLAY.. CATHY PICKED OUT A TEDDY BEAR IN A SANTA SUIT AND I PICKED OUT A SNOW GLOBE ORNAMENT FOR HIM,  A CHRISTMAS CARD, WE HAD THEM IN A "MERRY CHRISTMAS TO #1 TEACHER" CHRISTMAS BAG FOR HIM. TO US, HE IS OUR VOICE FOR THOSE WHO HAVE SOMEONE SPECIAL WITH ANY DISABILITY. I WAS ABLE TO DELIVER THE BAG TO AN EVENT STAFF THAT ASSURED ME IT WOULD BE DELIVER TO CLAY.
 

THE TWEETER CENTER IS A DELIGHTFUL PLACE.  AS WE WALKED TO THE VENUE, CATHY WAS VERY EXCITED HOLDING MY HAND TIGHT. SHE KEPT SAYING "TOMMY, TOMMY, TOMMY!' ( ALTHOUGH SHE HAS CEREBRAL PALSY, CATHY CAN WALK AND THOSE WHO DON'T KNOW, CATHY CAN'T PRONOUCED CLAY'S NAME, SHE CALLS HIM TOMMY. WHICH, IS A GREAT COINDENCE SINCE ONE OF THE CHARACTER'S NAME IS TOMMY!)

WE GOT IN AND BRIEFLY SAID "HI TO AMY, CHRISTIE, DEANNA, SUSAN AND MICKI" AND CATHY GAVE HER HUGS TOO..

AT THE TIME WHEN I GOT THE TICKETS, I WASN'T ABLE TO GET HANDICAPPED SEATING.  BUT, THROUGH A VERY SWEET USHER BY THE NAME OF "JAIME" WE WERE ABLE TO OBTAIN HANDICAP SEATING FOR WHEN CLAY CAME ON, WE NEEDED TO BE SEATED AT OUR ORGINAL SEATS FOR WILLIAM JOSEPH.  AND JAIME TOLD US THAT SHE WAS A SPECIAL ED TEACHER BY DAY AND WORKED AT THE TWEETER AT NIGHT.

CATHY WAS NEVER AT A CONCERT BEFORE.  SO WHEN THE LIGHTS WENT DARK, CATHY SAID "NITE NITE" BECAUSE SHE WOULD BE ACCUSTOMED TO GO TO BED WHEN THE LIGHTS GO DIM.

WILLIAM JOSEPH PLAYED THE PIANO, AND CATHY DID SOMETHING WITH HER HANDS, ME AND MY MOTHER NEVER EVER SAW.. CATHY DANCED WITH HER HANDS.. HER HANDS KEPT TO THE BEAT OF EACH SONG WILLIAM JOSEPH PLAYED.. SHE GIGGLED AT "KASHMIR" DON'T KNOW WHY... SHE SMILED AND CLAPPED.

AFTER HE PLAYED THERE WAS THE FIRST INTERMISSION AND WE WERE TAKEN BY JAIME TO OUR NEW SEATS TO SEE THE REST OF THE SHOW.

THERE WERE TWO BIG SCREENS THAT ACCOMPANIED THE STAGE, I WAS GRATEFUL FOR THIS BECAUSE CATHY COULD REALLY ENJOY THE SHOW.

AS SOON AS THE CURTAINS WERE RAISED. CATHY WAS MERMERIZED, SHE KEPT QUIET TAKING EVERYTHING IN. HER SMILE WAS SO WIDE WHEN SHE SAW CLAY TAKE TO THE STAGE!  HER EYES WERE GLUED TO THE BIG SCREEN, MY MOM TRIED TO SHOW HER THAT CLAY WAS RIGHT HERE ON STAGE, BUT, SHE WAS MORE INTERESTED WITH CLAY ON THE SCREEN, IT WAS BETTER FOR HER TO SEE HIM THAT WAY.

AND EVERYTIME CLAY FINISHED A VERSE OF A SONG, CATHY CLAPPED WITH GREAT HAPPINESS.

NOW, THERE WERE TIMES CATHY WAS GETTING FRUSTATED ESPECIALLY WHEN THE SCENES WERE PLAYED OUT. SHE GOT OUT HER SEAT A COUPLE OF TIMES, AND I QUICKLY GOT HER BACK AND SHE SAID " I SEE TOMMY" AND THEN WHEN CLAY SANG AGAIN,  HOW QUIET SHE WAS, HER EYES WIDEN WITH EXCITEMENT! HOW MUCH CATHY LOVED SEEING HIM SING!

SHE CLAP WHEN "CELEBRATE ME HOME" WAS SUNG...

DURING THE 2ND INTERMISSON, JAIME THE USHER CAME BACK TO OUR SEATS AND ASKED "HOW'S MY FRIEND CATHY? DO YOU LIKE THE SHOW?"  CATHY NODDED "YES"

THE 2ND ACT STARTED AND CATHY AGAIN WAS QUIET EVER WATCHING CLAY, THEN CATHY TURN TO ME, AND CLASPED HER HANDS AND SAID "GOD, GOD" SHE KNEW CLAY WAS SINGING HYMNS.

SHE SMILED SO SWEETLY, IT WAS SUCH A PRECIOUS GIFT TO ME!  SEEING HER JOY, FILLED MY HEART WITH SUCH LOVE FOR GOD AND CLAY, I GET A LITTLE "TEARY" TAKING ABOUT IT..

THE BEST PART CAME WHEN CLAY CAME OUT AGAIN FOR "DON'T SAVE IT ALL FOR CHRISTMAS DAY", WHEN CLAY ASK US TO GIVE HUG TO THE ONE NEXT TO US, CATHY GAVE US KISSES INSTEAD! HOW HAPPY SHE WAS! AND HOW SHE GIGGLED WHEN SHE HEAR THAT SONG!

AND GOOD NEWS, WAS BEAUTIFULLY SUNG AND AGAIN CATHY SMILED SO SWEETLY!

AFTER IT WAS OVER,  I ASKED HER " DID YOU LIKE IT?"  SHE NODDED "YES"

BEFORE YOU KNOW IT, WE WERE BACK ON THE ROAD AGAIN, WE WERE PLAYING MUSIC AND CATHY WAS IN THE BACK OF CAR, DANCING WITH HER HANDS AGAIN RELIVING HER SPECIAL NIGHT WITH CLAY.

THROUGH MY SISTER'S EYES, I SAW CLAY,  AS GIFT OF SONG FROM GOD.


LOVE YA

PHILLY

[fhmmany2]

Philly - you have such a wonderful, special relationship with Cathy - I hope she gets to meet Clay "up close" some day!

[lorilovesgolf]

Theresa - that was absolutely beautiful!!  I am sitting here at work with tears in my eyes!  You are such a good sister!  God Bless your family this Christmas season!!!

[Leveland]

You know I am sitting here crying for a wonderful gift you gave Cathy.  Remember I talked to her once, and you are so special. 

I am so glad she finally got to see "Tommy" in concert.  Bless you my dear freind and your lovely family.  Give her a Hug for me.

Love, Terry

[Marilyn]

PHILLY I AM SITTING HERE CRYING AT WORK.
WHAT A SPECIAL PERSON CATHY IS- AND HOW WONDERFUL OF YOU TO SHARE THE GIFT OF CLAYS GIFT TO US WITH CATHY.

I AM SURE CLAYS HEART WOULD BE FULL IF HE ONLY KNEW ABOUT CATHY AND HER LOVE FOR HIM AND HIS MUSIC.

THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR SHARING WITH US!

[lorraine]

PHILLY,

I AM ALSO CRYING.  I SURE HOPE SOMEDAY CATHY WILL BE ABLE TO MEET CLAY.  IF CLAY ONLY KNEW HOW MUCH HE MEANS TO HER.  JUST PRECIOUS.  THANKS FOR THAT.  WHAT A BEAUTIFUL CHRISTMAS PRESENT TO YOUR SISTER.  IT COULDN'T HAVE BEEN ANY BETTER.

HUGS
RAINEY

[Tammy]

Philly
Thanks for sharing yours and Cathy's wonderful concert experience together...  She is lucky to have such a special sister like you!

[wvclayfan]

Philly - What a touching story! I'm so glad Cathy was finally able to see Clay, and hope one day she will be able to meet him in person. Thank you for sharing your experience with us!

[clayMaine-iac]

Philly,
I am going to cherish that hug from Cathy forever!!

Glad I got to meet you.

I am thrilled to hear that Cathy enjoyed the show. 

Did you??
 

[Claymaniac2000]

PHILLY, What a beautiful, beautiful experience  you got to share with Cathy. I am sitting here bawling my eyes out after reading it. I am so glad she got to see her "Tommy" in person. It must have been wonderful for her, and for you too.

[Clara]

Philly!! 

Your story was beautiful.
Thank you for sharing it with us.

And you are beautiful, too.

A huge heartfelt

Clara

[NCSandhillsDeb]

Philly,

What a wonderful story and great experience for Cathy, and for you seeing Clay from a different perspective.  I am sitting here with tears streaming down my face.

Debbie 

[gagran]

Theresa,
 
for you and Cathy and your Mom.

Susan

[heater]

Philly, thank you so much for sharing Cathy's experience with us!    I know how close you and Cathy are and it's wonderful you were able to give her the gift of seeing Clay live.  What a special night for you all!

[HavinaClayAffair]

Philly-

You may live in what is speculated to be "one of the toughest cities in America"..but it sure has not affected you.

Or your family.

We met in Baltimore and you brought a photo of your sister. You showed us that photo and explained about Cathy's disabilty with such a gentleness, just as if she were with you. She was, in your heart.

I was glad to read you were able to take her to a concert. I know from having a father who is disabled that public outings can be stressful and don't always go as we had hoped.

I am so happy for you and Cathy that this outing turned into what it has for you.

Did your mom enjoy the show also? Also..what about you and Hubby, I think you mentioned he was going with you?

Lora

[Tamaraluv]

Philly.....it sounded like your sister really enjoyed herself!  As I was reading this I sit teary-eyed like so many others that have/will read this. I can't wait until tomorrow when I can experience " the gift of song from God" for myself. Cathy is a lucky woman to have such a wonderful sister in her life, and I'd imagine that you feel just as lucky to have her!! 

[PHILLYLUVSCLAY]

I WANT TO THANK ALL OF YOU FOR YOUR KIND WORDS AND BEAUTIFUL COMMENTS! IT MEANS THE WORLD TO ME..

YES, MR. PHILLY WAS AT THE CONCERT TOO, HE WAS IN A DIFFERENT SEAT AND TOOK PICS OF CLAY..BUT THE PICS ARE VERY VERY SMALL..

MY MOM LOVED THE SHOW!!

AND CATHY, WELL SHE IS THE BEST PART OF ME! 

[Cup of Butter]

philly, i am so glad cathy enjoyed the show,. , and it went off well,  the story  was heart warming and  so touching, you all are agreat  family
god bless  you cathy and the family.

[ChrisieD]

Philly, thanks so much for sharing your story. Cathy is so blessed to have you as a sister and vice-versa. You got my all teary eyed as well and I too hope one day she will get to meet " Tommy " as well. I'm so happy the trip went well and you all had a great time and a great usher to help you guys out.
Thanks again for sharing !!!

[Prissy]

Philly,

You had me reaching for the kleenex before I had even read a paragraph!!  I have read your posts about Cathy before, and I know what a devoted, caring sister you are.  How wonderful that Cathy had such a positive, happy time at the concert with her "Tommy."  And I know it was even more special for her because you were right there beside her.

My wish:  that someday you both get to meet Clay in person.

Love,
Prissy