There is no description that can do it justice, and I'm sure I'll be paraphrasing here and there, but I'll do my best.
There was a slight delay in our getting our passes, so we were literally sticking them on each other as we're walking into the arena, but we made it! We were not allowed down on the floor area, but in the first few rows of seats right off the floor. I'm guessing because I never looked at the rest of the group enough to count, but I think there were maybe 20-25 others there for the sound check.
When we walked in, the band was already warming up - not in unison to any one particular sound at that time, and just casually throwing one-liners at each other. Very relaxed. Then they rehearsed Man! all the way through, and I was in total disbelief (first concert, you realize).
Then Sam nudges me and points. I look over and JD is just going crazy on the drums and I say "that's JD. Isn't he nuts?" And then.... gasp. A familiar teeny bod with a familiar ponytail and ball cap (the beige one) comes walking over to the stage. I looked at Sam and said "Oh my God... it's Shania!!" He rolled his eyes and said "I TOLD yoooou!" HA! I was completely calm (and not understanding why) all the way up to that point. But when I leaned close to Cody's ear and said "Cody, look... it's Shania. It's your girl", I got choked up (and hello! I still do! Excuse me as I snatch a kleenex) She stood quietly in the center of the stage while everyone was getting ready, then sang Love Gets Me Every Time. After that, the local drummers got on stage and she rehearsed Rock This Country with them.
Mind you, throughout the sound check,
Cody had his hands over his ears. He was curious, because he knoooows the music, but it was so loud, so he kept those ears covered. We'd even brought ear plugs for him if it became too much. He wore those and still covered the ears. Once he saw the girl, though? The ear plugs were HISTORY.
Still covered the ears throughout the remainder of the sound check, but now there was a constant HUGE smile on that face.
After Rock This Country, she left the stage. Once she got to the door, she made a u-turn and came back to the edge of the stage, grabbed her jacket and left again. She looked like she was irritated at herself a bit for having left it.
I do stuff like that, too, Shania. Ha!
The local drummers left at that point and the band disbursed, too. Then our "guide" told us that was it and escorted us all out.
Sam,
Cody and I had an opportunity a couple hours later to meet her personally. We were waiting for her during Emmerson Drive's performance, so we didn't get to see them, although we could hear them. They sounded great!
Cody started getting upset because he could hear the crowd reacting to Emmerson Drive. We were sure he thought he was missing her. We tried to explain to him that she wasn't out there and he would be seeing her soon, but it was one of those things that didn't seem to be registering.
Emmerson Drive came and went.
Cody calmed down and became his warm and fuzzy self, buuuut.... he told us he had to use the bathroom. Oooooh, boy. We knew she'd be out pretty darn soon. I could just see myself telling her the abbreviated version of what she did for our son... with no husband OR son present. We asked him if he could wait for juuuust a minute, but he started doing the shi-shi dance. I asked Sam where the bathroom is. He said it's right around the corner and just down the hall. I asked if it would take a minute or less. He said it's possible. We both looked at the Codeman and decided we didn't have a choice in the matter.
I was looking nervously at that door, believe me, but they DID make it back before she came out.
My sister-in-law, Kookie, had made a beautiful lei made from ribbon especially for her when she found out we'd be meeting her for
Cody, so I was holding on to that, and Sam had bought her a box of chocolates from Big Island Candies (niiice and fresh - you can watch them being made while you're there). I had the hand puppet (and a Sharpie) ready just in case, but if she didn't have time, we were SO WAY COOL with that. I mean, geez, look where we were!! I was organizing the stuff when Sam so calmly said "there she iiiiis". I looked over and sure enough....
She posed for a picture with a small group that I hadn't even seen back there prior to that and then they left. We were the only ones back there who were not security/crew personnel when she walked over to us. Tiny little bod with a great big smile, but you know what? It was such a genuine smile that I remained calm. There was never a feeling of "I'm the star and you are a mere fan". Nothing like that at all. And I smiled back and said "Thank you sooo much for this." I reached around to ease
Cody away from my back where he velcroed himself as soon as he saw her coming
and said "Our son is autistic and for the first few years of his life he was basically in his own dark little corner, isolated from the world. You gave him his breakthrough moment. Because of his interest in you and your music, he learned to communicate. You can never understand the signficance of your contribution. You literally opened up his world". She looked me straight in the eye throughout and showed a genuine interest. She smiled and said "Oh, thank you so much! It makes me very happy to hear that! Thank you!" Then I told her that Cody's aunt made a lei especially for her. It's handmade from ribbon. I told her we realize she couldn't wear it right then, but could we present it to her? Maybe give it to someone to hold for her. And she said "oh, sure! Someone can take that for me." She reached out and took it, holding it by the ribbon bow with one hand and draping the other end of it over her open palm. She said "wow, this is really beautiful! Thank you!" She walked it over to her assistant and give it to her, then came back.
I asked her if she would sign something for him, and she said "sure!" She took the Sharpie from me and leaned over the hand puppet. She said "what's his name?" and I said "Cody" and spelled it for her. She wrote "To
Cody, love, Shania Twain". I thanked her and she said "you're welcome. Did you want to take a picture?"
I said "I would love that." She smiled and held out both arms. "Cody? Come over here,
Cody. Let's take a picture." He immediately went over to her, stood close and turned around to pose. She put one arm around his back and held on to his shoulder. The other hand she rested on his upper chest, shoulder area. She stooped just a tiny bit and leaned in so their faces were close together, and Sam snapped the photo. I saw how beautifully he was doing with her and tried to ease out of the shot. I just barely had my fingertips on his arm, but Sam knew she was going to be onstage in just a couple minutes, so he took the shot just before I let go. It's a gorgeous shot I will cherish forever.
Sam went up to her after and handed her the chocolates saying these we made those, too. She laughed and thanked him, handing the chocolates to her assistant. Sam told her "thank you VERY much". She told him "you're welcome" and then as she started to walk away, she turned and said "I hope you enjoy the show!"
Then we looked at each other like "wow". As we were leaving, I looked at him and said "she is such a beautiful person" and he said "yes... she is" (NOT like a rascal, either
)
We didn't even get back to our seats before Man! started, that's how close to the start of the show she took the time out for
Cody.
I remembered that DJ who had said she treated her fans like ****. Tell that to my son and how many others....
Cody did his little
Cody dance (which is basically jumping up and down on his toes) and clapped his hands for a good portion of the concert and was just wall to wall smiles. He got tired at the end, which ticked him off, but he rallied big time when the confetti came out.
Typical
Cody moment: Shania sat 2 rows behind us and about 6-7 seats down to do Woman in Me. RIGHT before the song started,
Cody tells us he has to go to the bathroom. Ooooh, boy. Um...
Cody? We can't... exactly squeeze past her in the middle of this song, buddy. As soon as she started racing DOWN the stairs after,
Cody started racing UP the stairs with his dad.
It was truly, truly, truly magical. He was SUCH a happy little boy who has no understanding whatsoever about what a rare, special treat he experienced. He doesn't know about chart positions or record sales or awards. He just loves the lady who sings the fun songs and who has a beautiful smile. Perhaps that makes it all the more special.
P.S. Photos to come.
Congrats on getting that experience 
Thank you for sharing :cool:
What a great thing to read on Christmas Eve. I am so happy for you Sheri, I know how much this meeting meant to you. I am looking forward to the pictures!!!
That is a very touching, beautiful story. Thank you for sharing, can't wait to see your pic's. I am so pleased that 
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