The Comedy of David Dean

During spring break, I took our daughter Hannah and her good friend Sara, to Disney World for a day. Betsy, my wife, thought it would be best to stay behind and minister to the beach. As I drove the girls to Disney that morning, I could envision the 3 of us riding rides…the two of them in a cart with their hands in the air laughing and sharing the moment, while I sat in the cart behind them with another lonely father.

Half of North America was at the park that day and after a few hours of being run over by wheelchairs and strollers, I limped to a bench and suggested the girls walk by themselves for a bit while I tried to stop the bleeding from my heels.

I love people watching and listening in on conversations, so the time on a bench alone for a few hours while the girls mingled with Mickey, would not be a problem.

After a while, I decided to bite the bullet and pay $87.33 for 5 ounces of water. I’m standing in line waiting when I hear two women behind me say, “I think that’s him. Go ask him. No…really, its him. Just go up and say hello.” They make their way around me and walk up to none other than….Cameron Tucker!!! Cam…from Modern Family! “Cam” is actor Eric Stonestreet.

Eric appeared to be enjoying his day at Disney with either a girlfriend or wife and another couple. Wearing black sunglasses, a dark polo shirt and jeans, Eric, for the most part, was able to walk through the throng of people relatively unnoticed.

I waited until the women behind me had walked away and decided I would jump in next. I love the show and think the “Cameron” character is hilarious so I went for it! “Excuse me…”, I said, “I hate to bother you but my family loves you and your show. A picture with you would mean more to me than a picture with Goofy. Do you mind?”

He agreed and his friend used my phone to take the picture. Eric even had to show his friend how to use MY phone and instructed him in a way, for just a brief moment, sounded like the character he portrays. “Yea…the button is right there in the middle…just give it a push…” he said with a slight lisp and his pinky finger pointing upward.

I thanked him and almost asked if I could join his party for the rest of the day. I’m sure he wouldn’t mind. What a thrill it would have been to find Hannah and Sara and say, “Look who I ran into?!!”

That moment was so exciting for me. This is a guy we have watched on TV every week for the past two seasons. I know his character, what he likes, the things he hates and I can recite his greatest lines. But the bottom line is this: I don’t really KNOW the man.

Do we make the same statement about people in our own lives? I know him or her. We’ve been friends for years. We chat. We are facebook friends. But do we really connect with each other the way we did before cell phones became attached to the end of our arms?

Get to know your family and friends. Become reacquainted with them. Fix dinner tonight for your spouse and kids and engage them in conversation with the cell phones tucked away in another room.

Chuck Swindoll says, “The reason God gave us two ears and one mouth…is so we can listen more than we speak.”

Cherish those laughs over dinner tonight. And don’t forget to keep the TV turned off….unless its “Modern Family”.

Hey pastors and friends of pastors..or people who know pastors! I’m performing in the Orlando area October 15th & 16th. I would like to book the 17th, too. My flight and hotel are already covered so this would be a great way for us to partner..and cut your costs.

Feel free to send me an e-mail if you are looking for:

1. A Sunday morning speaker.
2. A family friendly night of comedy Sunday night. (Laughter is the best tool for building a bridge with the community).
3. Both. Am speaker and then invite the congregation to bring their neighbors and friends to come back that evening for a night of clean comedy.

If you live in the central Florida area…contact us for availability and booking info. laugh@davidpdean.com

Blessings..

David