E.M.P.

(Experience Mindy Project)


I hope that because it has taken me a week to post about this that it doesn't cast a shadow on how amazing it was. I just got busy. That is all.

That day proved to be a hectic one with last minute details and making sure everyone had a ride to my house.  I wasn't just taking my family...I was bringing along 16 other people!!  10 of my Young Women and 6 others (friends, parents, grandparents) were able to come.  Some of which had never heard Mindy's music but, it was a concert...so of course they wanted to come.  They just crossed their fingers it wouldn't be to intolerable.  We set off around 5 pm to make sure we made the 45 minute drive with time to get a good place in line.  Fortunately...I had an 'in' with the guy running the show, so he assured me good seats...OK...VIP seats!  And he did not disappoint.  We rolled in being the very first people there.  The venue was the South Bay Grange Hall.  It's an old falling apart kind of place with some sweet character.  It was perfect!

The ladies...showing their enthusiasm???

The friends, parents and grandparents.

My girls, upon seeing some of the YW with their wings on, insisted they bring theirs.  It was their ode to the Anchor video!

The stage.

My friend Rachel was there with her momma and had to get a pic with the little fairies.

Ring master...Daren Falter.  The guy responsible for my whole Mindy craze!

And the one that talked her into stopping in Olympia!

The opening act was Debra Fotheringham.  She was magnificent on her guitar and had an enchanting voice.  It was a bit difficult to hear her at times...but I was in awe.  Found out later that she is a self taught guitarist.  Made my ache for learning to play deepen!!

And then...MINDY!  Should I feel silly to admit that I teared up a little when she got on stage?  She had me and the entire audience eating out of the palm of her hand as soon as she sang the first note. Oh, to have that much influence over the emotions and thoughts of a crowd.

She opened with a Carpenters song "Close to You."  Which I totally dug.  Growing up in the Henry family...you got to know the Carpenters songs.  I'm thinking her version has my vote!  When she talked she just seemed so...normal and down to earth.  Her personality drew me in even more and I could have sat listening to her for hours.  It was lovely to hear the stories behind her songs and understand where they came from.  It's funny how you apply the songs you hear to your own life, but when you hear why they were created in the first place it gives you a deeper appreciation for the song itself and for the creator.  And it gives you a glimpse into their life, which I like...in a non-stalker-ish kind of way.

Her guitarist.  Ryan...I can't remember his last name and I feel terrible about that.  He was incredible.  At one point a guy in the crowd yelled out "Play a hymn!"  Mindy graciously gave him the stage while he took only a few minutes to share his magic with us.  He apparently has a cd...'guitar hymns.'  Me thinks me gonna buy it!!

I will whole heatedly admit that I cried when she sang Anchor.  Did you expect me not to...really?  I think that it's just always gonna be this way with her music.  It will forever be linked to a very tender time in my life.  And I'm just gonna cry about it every once in a while.  OK??!!

There was quite a bit of audience participation.  I sang along with all the songs...but very quietly...I think.  She sounded so perfect.  Not one bad note...not one missing lyric...her voice pure and rich.  So.  Amazing.  I didn't want it to end.  Her final song was "I Do Adore!"  Which my girls love.  She called up all the little kids to come help sing and clap along with this adorable little ditty of a song.  My girls were more than happy to do so.  And it was just so much fun to see them dancing and singing along right at Mindy's feet! 

Savannah at one point hadn't heard her favorite song (Whole Wide World) or Anchor yet and she was getting a little worried that she wasn't going to sing them.  I assured her she would.  I loved seeing her face light up when she did!  A lady came up to me after the concert and said that her favorite part of the night was watching my girls sing along with all of Mindy's songs!  What can I say...I have brainwashed them!!

Payton, Doug, Me and Heidi...enjoying the show!!

So...funny story.  This isn't when I actually met miss Mindy.  Right after the show, Jillian decided that she had to go to the bathroom..."REALLY BAD!"  I tried to maneuver my way through the crowd which had congregated right outside the entry door to meet and greet the artists.  I finally made my way through and bam! there she was.  Daren was there to introduce me with, "Mindy, I'd like you to meet one of your super fans.  This is Clarissa Gifford."  I was holding on to a little person whose bladder was not going to hold much longer.  I had to answer with..."Oh my goodness...I really want to talk with you, but my daughter has to go potty and is about to explode!" Great timing right?  Daren totally thought I was fighting my way through the crowd to meet her but I was just fighting to get to the john!!!  When I finally got around to properly meeting her I was a big. ol. dork.  I tried really hard to control my emotions...but it didn't work.  She knew who I was because of a few messages we had exchanged and from reading my blog...(yep, she's read my blog).  We talked for just a bit and I sobbed on her shoulder and probably mumbled really stupid things that thankfully I can't remember.  But she was very sweet and patient and kind and I love her even more now. 

Of course we had to get one with the entire family!

And one with the wings...which she loved, (and autographed) I might add!

Savannah wanted to meet and get a picture with Debra.

Heidi and Mindy.

Debra and me.  She told me..."You can do it!"  When we talked about her being self taught on the guitar.  Oh, one day!!

The Falter family with the spectacular musicians.  So grateful to them for making this possible.  Took a lot of planning and time...and we appreciated it so very much!!

I think that this will be etched in my mind for...well, forever, really.  I love that I got to have this experience.  To see, hear and meet someone that has made a mark on my life was beautiful.  However silly that may sound...it's true.  I wonder how she feels knowing the effect that she has had on peoples lives.  She must go to sleep with a smile on her face everyday.  She left Olympia with several more fans!!  My people loved her!  The whole experience was quite inspiring and makes me want to go make music...somehow...somewhere.  I sang Anchor at our ward talent show on Friday and I start actual guitar lessons on Monday.  Maybe someday Mindy and I can make music together. Wait...now that did sound stalker-ish!

 I read the blog of a lady who actually hosted a Mindy concert in her home.  I got a little jealous.  I could do that!  I see that happening here in my home and me and Mindy becoming life long friends. OK, I'm starting to scare myself with my "trying not to sound stalker-ish comments that actually do sound stalker-ish!"  But...still...wouldn't that be so  fantastically fantastic?!?!

THANK YOU MINDY GLEDHILL for sharing your awesomeness with me...I mean, us!!