Monday, May 23, 2011

I've been keeping a secret from you


On may 7Th, I spoke at a benefit for CHOC hospital. There are these amazing women in Orange County, who help raise money for CHOC. They're called the Glass slipper Guild. I believe one of the lovely ladies read my blog and contacted me about speaking at the event. Seriously....how do you say no to something like that? Well, you don't. Even if you get severe anxiety about public speaking, you just have to man up and do it
I didn't tell you guys about the benefit out of fear. I was so scared and nervous about it, that I couldn't even talk about it. I couldn't even write words on paper. I wasn't sleeping, I got sick to my stomach and three days before the event, my eyeball started twitching. I was completely falling apart. The day before was spent talking to myself. I KNOW I looked like a crazy person.
I was pretty emotional cuz I realized that our year anniversary at CHOC was the very next day. Talk about timing.
By speaking, I realized how important this hospital is to me. We do everything through CHOC. This event raised money to help build the new tower to the hospital. Is it sad that I get giddy when I think about it? It will be such a life changer for us and a lot of other families.


I was determined to NOT wear the ole purple dress that I wear to everything. This time I borrowed a dress from my sil, Heather. It was a cute vintage number.


This is my look of relief cuz I just got finished speaking. This was a definite learning experience. I was very happy to help raise money for the place that has saved my daughters life.
But I don't know if I could do public speaking again. Just thinking about it makes my eye twitch.

I have a link here, that is a video of the event. You see me in the middle and that's my voice at the end.

19 comments:

Kel said...

Congratulations. You look just gorgeous in that dress and I bet you were fantastic. Well done on getting through something so scary for a great cause!

Chez Zizi said...

That is so cool. Congratulations and you look beautiful.
Zizette

vanessa lamb photography said...

I LOVE that dress. You look super cute!

Ora said...

Ruthie you are so beautiful! When I get anxiety my eye twitches too.. you feel lik the world stares t it too lol. Glad you made it though alive and I'm sure you were wonderful. I love how you and Scott support eachother in everything you do.

Sandy said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Sandy said...

Public speaking is a tough one for me as well! I'm glad to hear that all went well. You looked fabulous!

Georgia said...

Whats so funny about this post Ruth is that you said how much anxiety, and stress that you had over the public speaking......BUT in these pictures are you are the "picture of peace", looking very pretty, and stress free. I'm so happy that you did this.....CHOC is such a great place to support....I'm a supporter, too! Yeah for you!

Beth said...

I LOVED the video! I really wanted to attend to hear you speak...this was the next best thing. (well I guess if you would have let Scott tape it for me would have been the next best thing, but this is a close 2nd)

My eye started twitching watching all the wealthy people arriving knowing you had to talk to them.

You looked and sounded amazing. You got me choked up with your words at the end.

Jodie Mac said...

Thank you for being there and for contributing to the night and legacy of CHOC Children's in such an impacting way.

katie said...

so amazing! great job, ruth! i would have felt the same--i hate public speaking, but you looked very together.

some how, some way, some day said...

Congratualtions! I love that dress; what a beautiful couple!

Debby said...

I used to be afraid to talk in front of people. It gets easier. You and your hubby look so sweet.

Lynne said...

You looked gorgeous in that dress! Way to go on the public speaking...makes my palms sweat just reading about it!

Tami Anderson said...

You look stunning.

Brooke said...

Congratulations & way to put your fears aside to talk about something that has greatly impacted your family's life.

Bobbie said...

Thank you, Ruth, for speaking at the Gala!! Your heartfelt speech was very touching! You did an amazing job!

Becki D said...

Good job on the speakins.....

and good gracious you looked beeautimous!! Goooo you!

Kathy said...

Ruth,
I was at the Glass Slipper Gala. My daughter, Kelly, was one of the CHOC kids there that night. I Would never have guessed that you were that nervous! You did a wonderful job speaking and I am sure you moved a lot of people that night. You sounded very composed and I would never have known that you hadn't done that before. Amazing what we will do for CHOC! I just wanted to let you know that I thought you did a great job that night!
Kathy Laude, another CHOC mom

Kerstin said...

The dress is really beautiful. I can understand your feeling that you didn't want to wear the other dress another time (even though it's beautiful as well). Sometimes you just need another one.

I watched the video and you voice sounded very composed. Congratulations!