How Cameron Diaz Helped Put It All in Perspective

Today, I am filing this post from my parent's condo in Century City. Since I live in a loft in downtown and write about my adventures from there - I'm sure you've figured out something is up.

OH YES IT IS. That is why it's taken me so long to write this post. I apologize for missing a week. I just didn't know what to say.

But inspiration came to me last night in the form of Cameron Diaz. 

As a little back story - I moved into my "new loft" on Sunday, April 18th  - since then I have not been able to sleep in the unit for six nights - due to a severe reaction to the cleaning fluids used to clean it as well as MORE YUCKY STUFF that I will fill you in about later. 

Right now though I want to tell you about my friends. 

I am blessed with many wonderful, caring friends. Many of whom have gone "way beyond" to help me this week - one of the hardest in my life. I refer to them as saints. St. Stacy, St. Susan, St. Betty, St. Frederica, St. Ruth, St. Peter, St. Marc, St. Jaimi, St. Dawn and on and on. Boy, am I lucky. 

St. Susan, who in real life is known as Susan Miller, is the founder of Astrology Zone, a successful internet company. She lives in New York and we're close friends. I greatly admire her. Not only do millions visit her site monthly, but she developed an astrology "software" program before anyone knew that "soft" and "ware" went together, and her own mobile application - way ahead of others, too. This, in addition to raising two daughters solo. 

A famous astrologer, she happened to be in LA this week. Knowing what I was going through, she insisted on taking me to dinner last night. "Nancy, you need to eat!"

Just as I arrived at Susan's daughter's apartment in West Hollywood to pick her up, I got a call from her. "Nancy, I'm at the Chateau Marmont. Can you pick me up here?" 

What? Frustrated and exhausted from my loft ordeal, I screamed into my cell, "I don't know where the Chateau Marmont is!" Actually, I did, but I had forgotten and besides I was already at the place where I was suppose to pick her up! 

"I'll put my friend on the phone to help you," she said. 

MOST DEFINITELY NOT my thoughtful charming self, I rudely said, "Geez, can you drive Susan to the restaurant? What about a cab?" Her friend answered very sweetly - "I have a car, but I can't drive it. Sure, if you want I'll put her in a cab. But it's really close. All you have to do is go two blocks east and make a left on Crescent Heights and then another left on Sunset." 

"Okay, I said begrudgingly, I'll be there in eight minutes!" And, I'm thinking why can't she drive her car?

When I pulled into the hotel's parking lot, Susan and I waved at each other - and in the corner of my eye I noticed her friend standing next to her. 

Oh-my-god. Her "friend" was Cameron Diaz. I was rude to Cameron Diaz. And Cameron Diaz was walking to my car! 

"I swear to you, I am not my normal self. I was talking to you? You are so adorable. Prettier than in the movies. Honestly, I've just had a really bad week." "I know, she said, "Susan told me, and I wanted to come down and meet you."

"Really?" Then I started babbling - how I was having so much difficulty, and I knew that one of my loft property management guys was single, and if she could just talk to him, I'm sure everything would be okay. And how about if I drove her downtown, and....

....Without a stitch of make-up on, looking beyond stunning, she smiled her gorgeous smile, giggled her famous giggle, and said she would help but that she needed to leave now and she gave Susan and I more directions.

I was ready to kill Susan. "Why didn't you tell me she was "the friend?" "I did!" Then she said, Cameron was at the hotel to help another friend. Her friend's friend went into labor THAT DAY in Boston. At the age of thirty, while giving birth, she unexpectedly died and so did her baby.

Now that was a tragedy. 

And in a poignant moment I will never forget, I realized that life is all about perspective. And in my case, it took the kindness of a famous stranger to help me see it.

I'll fill you in on my moving saga later. 

But before I finish this post, I'd like to lovingly thank my elderly parents for being there when I needed them, at a great inconvenience to themselves. THANK YOU Mom and Dad.

Comments

[Vicky DeCoster]

Nancy, I loved this story - you made me laugh, cry, and feel that I am so lucky to know you.

[Lori]

I truly loved this post. I just wanted to keep reading. You just never know what a day will bring.

Amen for our parents...

Thank you.

[Linda Jay Geldens]

Unbelievable, and yet, because it's you, believable! To think that Cameron Diaz wanted to meet you! To think that we just watched Cameron Diaz a couple of nights ago in a very scary movie called Mask! Things will get better; you have lots of Saints watching out for you.

[Real Beauty Jude]

Dearest One Nancy,
Thank you for being you. I see you in the mirror when I look at myself-thanks for sharing! You are one amazing and humble woman when given a chance to be so! Once again you prove that it is one heck of a small and wonderful world. Thank you for being you in every way possible. I am so grateful to know even just a little bit of you.
P.S. We are all in this together!
Your Real Beauty Jude

[TalesofDowntown.com]

I'd like to thank all of you for your wonderful comments and e-mails. Just has brightened my day so much. Nancy

[Yvonne DiVita]

Nancy, you are so inspirational. I cannot imagine the distress of moving in one day and having to move out again only days later. But, as you say, Cameron Diaz provided the perspective. Our lives are a gift and when the wrapping comes off in pieces, we need to remember that the gift is a part of us, not a part of the "outside" wrappings we must deal with.

You will persevere, I know. You are strong and talented. I am sending you big hugs and lots of love. Your smile continues to brighten the day of everyone who sees it- especially me.

Yvonne

[Joyce Mason]

Nancy, thanks for this inspirational story about friends who care and putting life into perspective. As someone with my own share of debilitating allergies over the years, I feel for you!

Sometimes the universe brings us a break in the oddest ways, an opportunity to regroup and go in a different direction we had not anticipated. Look forward to the next leg of your adventure.