I have a kind of reverse snobbism that comes from growing up on Kaua`i, a place celebrities love. Yeah, that was Sly Stallone’s horse I exercised at the polo club, and Pierce Brosnan I bumped into in the aisle at Foodland, and Kareem Abdul Jabbar whose legs tripped me as a waitress in the trendy restaurant I worked in. Charo’s house on the North Shore was a real bitch to clean (way too much glass) and Billie Jean King’s home tennis court was a leaf trap. Elizabeth Taylor looks better in person than in pictures and Demi Moore is really, really short. I’ve even been therapist to celebrities’ children, and trust me when I tell you that life is no picnic for them.
Because of this exposure, though I was in subservient roles, I was the privileged one as a real local resident while (for all their money) they were only wannabes.
I have always been less than impressed with celebrities.
Until now. Until Bethany Hamilton.
Known this girl since she was in diapers and she's just awesome.
Even as I write this I feel an internal resistance rising up. Am I just one more person jumping on the gravy train of her story, a story that is truth way better than fiction? Because I know these ‘celebrities,’ heart and soul know them, and a less glamorous, more down to earth family you could never hope to meet.
But this is my story, and how it intersects with witnessing hers, and at a time when her story is about to break out across the world in the major Sony Pictures movie Soul Surfer, it’s time to tell it.
I've known the Hamiltons since elementary school. Tom was Mike's groomsman in our wedding and is still one of his closest friends.
Mike's third from left with his arm around Tom Hamilton.
Cheri helped coordinate our wedding.
Cheri helps me into our funky "getaway vehicle" note surfboards on top.
I'll never forget holding their first baby, Noah, when he came home from the hospital. My kids played with Bethany and Timmy on the beach, whacking each other with sticks and (prophetically) jumping in and out of the shorebreak.
Our kids, the Hamiltons, and various rascals at Easter sometime early 1990s.
What do you say when Tom Hamilton, a man you’ve known most of your life, calls up and says, “Yeah, Dennis Quaid is going to play me in the movie, and Helen Hunt is going to play Cheri.”
OMG is what you say. That’s amazing is what you say. After you hang up you speculate aloud around the dinner table with your kids what celebrities would play YOU if your life was a movie. (I picked Julia Roberts for me, but was booed down. They all said I was more like Bette Midler with a nose job)
Those movie trailers for Soul Surfer. They make me and Mike tear up every time. I don’t know how we’re going to go to that movie and do anything but cry—because some celebrities are truly wonderful human beings, some stories are unbelievable and yet true, and sometimes the human spirit triumphs over every obstacle.
I know. I’ve witnessed it firsthand, and in these dark days in our world, we need these stories. Go see this movie and be uplifted, it’s that good.
Soul Surfer the Movie official website. Cool stuff here.
More to follow.
These life experiences are what make you a more genuine writer. I like this piece, and I’m familiar with Bethany’s story. I’d like to read more about your life as an Inadvertent Celebrity.
Very interesting comment. I have to ponder this.
By the way, I do understand that Bethany’s family are the Inadvertent Celebrities, but in a way, I think you became one too, as a result of your life experiences.
Thanks for sharing. I am blessed by Bethany’s life story and glad there is so much attention being drawn towards it. We need the direction she and her family follows in these dark days.
Blessings~
Thanks so much for your support and encouragement Mark. aloha!
Truly enjoyed your piece on Bethany. Our family is pursuing the opportunity to share our story as autistic parents and children in the reality show genre– our hope is that we can inspire and encourage understanding in those on and off the autism spectrum.
Our greatest challenge has been in weighing the impact and outcomes from going “public” with our lives. Bethany’s impact will be multiplied and this is our hope as well.
Each of us is given gifts and abilities– it’s just a question of whether or not we will use what we have to lift others!
Hi Sharon,
That’s a courageous and important step! I work with children with autism in my therapy practice. Please keep me posted so I can follow and support you!
Toby!!!
Was just checking out the latest news on the greatest movie of all time, and, suddenly, there you were – a blast from the past.
How cool you’re a writer. I always knew you had it in you. Cool beyond words. Absolutely the bomb. Email me, and we’ll catch up.
Your old lady friend (who can almost remember YOU in diapers),
Evelyn Cook
Yay I sure will! We always had that in common, though it took me awhile to get going!
Thank you so much for sharing, it is such a touching and uplifting story and I’m sure it was quite remarkable to witness in it’s entirety from the inner circle!
From what I have learned of The Hamiltons from all the interviews and the movie, they are truly a remarkable family who practice exactly what they preach and have been blessed to glorify God so profoundly. It would be a privilege to know them personally and intimately. I feel like I do know them somewhat, through Bethany’s witness and ‘Soul Surfer’, and I joyously cheer Bethany and The Hamilton’s on, from my high perch here in the Colorado Rockies! Prayers and Blessings to you all!
Aloha,
Sandi
Thanks for the wonderful comment, Sandi! God bless!
Oh, and I feel a smidge of Hawaiian in me, as I paddled Outrigger canoes for 20+ years, and ventured to HI to compete many many times (‘Wahine No Ke Kai’ & Queen Lilioukalani), and have a timeshare on Maui I return to every other year. It’s a beautiful place, and the spirit and Aloha of the people is unmatched.
Awesome, Maui is our home! Let me know via email when you’re in town, perhaps we can meet in person! Aloha!