I finally got tickets to one of the Florida shows. St. Pete’s Palladium Theater was an excellent Venue for Craig. It was small and intimate. His references to the snowbirds were something we, as residents, could really relate to. My seven-year-old son Benjamin was very upset that he could not go see “his friend Craig,” as he refers to him.

My son has Cerebral Palsy and that night out was our first in seven years, since his birth. It was a big deal for me in more than one way, getting to see Craig, but also leaving my child for the first time. I asked him if I were able to ask Craig a question, what would he like me to ask? He went to his room and grabbed his book… a book that his class got published called The S.O.S. Files. He said, “Ask Craig if he would sign it for me.” He added, “He is a published author and so am I, so it would be really cool!”

I said, “That is a brilliant idea, son,” and so I was on a mission. I know the Executive Director at the Palladium, Paul Wilburn. He said to look for him that night. He had come and gone, so getting the book signed seemed a no-go. I went to see the secretary and explained. She called the man in charge of the box office. He came over and I again explained what I was trying to do. He took the book from me and handed to one of Craig’s guys… who, I have no idea.

They took it and said they were in a hurry, but soon came back with my son’s book signed by none other than the big guy himself, Craig Ferguson! I hope you can imagine how this made my boy feel. He was so proud of that signature and even took it to school for Show and Tell.

On picture day this year he said “I want to wear a suit like Craig,” so he did. He looked in the mirror just before leaving for school and said in amazement, “I look like a man! I look like Craig Ferguson Mom!”

Thank you, Craig, for making him so proud and for touching our lives in such a fun and positive way!