Paul at Skate on State in Chicago

Written by: Kathleen R. (kruss)

After waiting and freezing for an hour, there he was - Paul and, oh, what's
her name?  Oh, yea, Roz. Anyway.........they decided to let the mayor and
all the dignitaries talk (boring) but Paul and Roz were standing there too
by the podium waiting, freezing, hugging, clowning, etc.

Then Paul spoke a bit saying thanks, and explaining the Make A Wish stuff
to everyone and hoping everyone had a ticket to SOI next week. Roz spoke
too and said she thought it was cold where she grew up until today, that it
was her first time at this function in Chicago (Paul's done it several
times). Then the announcer said they'd do a small exhibition.  The
announcer couldn't get the word "silver" out to announce them as silver
medalists and finally Paul shouted out, "SILVER!!".

So they skated to My Kind Of Town (Chicago Is), and Paul did a double toe,
2 scratch blur spins, side stag, russian split, outside to inside spread
eagles - and they finished with side by side lunges. Then they took their
bows and it was announced that later they'd do the Make A Wish skating
stuff. Then they came to the side by me and started signing autographs.

And Paul was down about 10 feet from me and I knew I'd have to go by him.
So I told a lady I met there that I was going to shake his hand (I don't
want an autograph coz I have one already).

And so I edged over to where he was. He was signing autographs and quickly
looking up and saying "You're welcome " as people thanked him for the
autograph and then would leave after getting the autographed. Closer and
closer I edged until I was by the boards. He said to everyone, "This has to
be the last one coz I'm really, really cold" and I said, "Can I shake your
hand?" He didn't look up coz he was finishing the autographs, but he
finished, clipped the pen closed, and removed it from his right hand,
extended his right hand to me and looked at me. I took his hand and I
looked into his eyes and said, clearly and distinctly, "God bless you,
Paul." He never wavered from the eye contact and said, "Thank you (pause) -
You too!". That's all I wanted. I shook Roz's hand twice but with her it
was like a star to fan response, a big "Thanks" and going on to the next
person - which was very nice. But I can't believe that I FINALLY got a
chance to shake his hand and look into those eyes again, this time close
up.

Okay - his eyes.......They are indeed "Sapphire"!!  They are huge, huge
eyes which are as blue as a tropical sea, and whose blue depths just leap
out of his small face. I will never, never as long as I live forget those
eyes. TV doesn't do them justice.

Kathleen (kruss)

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