We just got back from Houston last night, where in case you didn’t hear all the hoopla, my two department colleagues and I won an Emmy. Yes, you heard that right.
I have to qualify that by saying that it was a regional Emmy, just for the state of Texas. And qualify it even more, saying that I had a very small part in the actual work that was done. But the golden statuette that now sits in my office is identical to the ones you see handed out on TV, and she’s beautiful. And she’s all mine. She even has my name engraved on the base.
When we first heard that we were nominated for an Emmy–actually two Emmys (my colleague next door for achievement as a director)–we saw it as an honor just to be nominated, and an excuse for the three of us to have a road trip. It was a weekend with just the boys, and it was fun. Going to the Awards ceremony was interesting, exciting, and very long. We got there about five, and didn’t hear our names called until 10:45 that night. We left about an hour later, and found out that the program continued until 12:30.
But the point I have in all this is this: I did a few small things. I came up with the original idea for the film. I helped edit the script. And I provided one of the voices on the animation. In the larger picture, it wasn’t very much. And yet I got just as much of an award as the person who was the director.
I talked to my other colleague, the third of us to receive the award, and told him I had a different perspective on grace. It’s not something we do. We don’t deserve it. But our name is engraved on the golden statue and we get the reward.
I could have said, no I can’t go to Houston. No, I don’t deserve this reward. But I didn’t do that. I went ahead and celebrated with my colleague, the way he wanted me to.
I’m grateful to him, and I appreciate his friendship.
The Great Adventure 