A few months ago Gigi was asked to be part of an interviewing process to be a candidate for a commercial spot for Hospice. He was excited to be a part of this but was certain they would pick someone else to be in the actual commercial. His interview went wonderfully but still he didn't think he would be picked.
WELL....Gigi was picked and he was the sole family member chosen from all of the local Hospice area. He felt incredibly honored to fill this spot but a bit nervous.
I was really wanting to be with him when he got to do the actual commercial shoot but we didn't think it would work out. Thankfully Someone else has our best in mind and He worked it out for me to be a part of this special opportunity. It just so happened that the commercial would be taped while I was up visiting this week. Isn't it so cool how things work out like that?
Gigi was very anxious worrying about hair styles, make-up, and the color palette for his clothes. All of these things were taken care of with a quick trip to the local salon, a great sale at JC Penny, and a sweet, sweet make-up girl who took good care of him the day of the shoot.
The spot was shot at the home of a Hospice employee. Gigi's spot was the first one to be done along with about 6 other people who were all Hospice employees. Did I mention that Gigi was the sole family member used? Pretty proud! Special Friend and I tagged along for moral support and to enjoy the perks of celebrityhood such as Starbucks coffee on set.
We pulled up to a house with many cars parked out front along with the local news station's van and H2 Hummer. This brought on a bit more anxiety so Special Friend prayed for Gigi and I sent out a text message to my praying prayer warriors.
The morning could not have gone a bit better. Everyone from the Hospice staff, news station video crew, photographer, make-up artist, and marketing agency reps were so kind, so helpful and so genuine with us. It felt so wonderful to be a part of something so good.
Gigi was asked many questions during his taping about Hospice and our experience with them. He did an amazingly, fantastic job. I had not prepared myself emotionally for hearing about Mimi again although there isn't a day that goes by that I don't think about her. After the first question that Gigi answered I was overcome by the emotion and began crying as I relished in all that had taken place with Mimi, how much Hospice meant to my family, and the ache of missing her. I was able to gather myself together thankfully and enjoy listening to how well Gigi did.
It was such a blessing to be a part of this opportunity and be there with Gigi. I am SO thankful and I just can not wait to see MY DAD ON TV! All of you who live up north near Gigi be on the look-out for a brand new Hospice commercial around June starring MY DAD! I will be beaming with pride when I get to see it.
He had to have a bunch of still photographs too so I am SURE he will be on billboards all over town too. (At least that is what I told him. No pressure! Haha!) The pictures are probably for brochures but a billboard would be pretty awesome too!
We love The Center for Hospice Care and so very grateful for the way they came in and joined us on the journey we were on with Mimi. They are an amazing agency and we would recommend them 110% to anyone walking a similar journey!
By the way...if you see Gigi around town, he's charging for autographs now. He will probably have the paparazzi chasing him down too.
