bono and me

Last night I was invited to attend the Economic Club of Grand Rapids Annual Dinner. There were 2,000 people in attendance including the famed “guest of honor” namely, Bono. For those of you who may not be aware of who Bono is … he is basically the Michael Jordan of the music world. As the front man and lead vocalist of U2 he is perhaps one the most globally recognized people on the planet. Yet here he was in Grand Rapids, Michigan.From the moment I was invited to the dinner at which he was scheduled to speak I wanted to figure out a way that I could perhaps meet him. Maybe just shake his hand, look him in the eye and say thank you … and of course get a picture with him. I had no idea how this would happen, but I thought I would “give it a whirl.” So I did.Try as I may, I began to figure out that, as one person put it, “getting face time with Bono is more difficult than getting face time with the President.”So I went to the dinner with my Dad, and figured, well at least I get to hear him speak in person. This is going to be great. Then I realized two things. One, I was sitting at the table next to him, and two, that my Dad knew several of the people at that table.So my Dad knowing that I would love to just shake his hand, walked me past the security protecting his table, spoke to those that he knew, and asked on my behalf, if I could just say a hello to the “guest of honor.” The next thing I knew I was chatting with Bono.I had always had in my mind that he was more than likely a pretty level guy. He has been married to his high school sweetheart for over 20 years. They have 4 children. And while his music has made him famous, his heart is planted firmly in leading change in the way America, and the West view the crisis in Africa.So I tapped his shoulder, and confidently said the words, “Bono, it is nice to meet you, my name is Michael Hidalgo.” He smiled, looked me dead in the eye, and replied, “Nice to meet you Michael.” We chatted for a very brief time, and it struck me that while everyone in the room wanted his time, he looked me dead in the eye the entire time we spoke, never once looking around at anything else. So I thanked him, not for his rock stardom and music, which I do love. More so for his life. The fact that he has chosen to use his fame wisely. He has been an example to many of what it means to, in his words last night, “Be someone who goes to the cardboard boxes, the gutters, and the shanty towns where the poor live. Because even though I hope that God is with me in my mansion on the hill … and I do have a mansion on a hill. I know that he will only truly be with me, when I am where He is, and that is with the poor.”We talked a little more, and he asked about my wife, my kids, what I do … then the dreaded announcement, “Please return to your seats the program is about to begin.” I smiled, and asked one thing of him, “Could we have a picture together?” He agreed … and as you can see … Now one thing I am fully cognizant of is this. If you look at me, you can clearly see that I am like a kid in a candy store. Idiot stick smile and all. Bono, however looks … well like an angry rock star. Then I realized something … he never smiles in any of his pictures. Beyond that, that is not the point. The point is, I have a picture with him … and I am comfortable in saying, “I have met Bono.”I have no grand illusions that if he ever sees me again he will say, “Hey Michael, how’s Beth?” But I do not think that is the point. What I know, is that for so long I have wanted to meet this guy who has influenced millions world wide, me included, and last night I did. It was a great night, and one I am sure not to forget.*Much thanks to my Dad who gave the invite for me to go …