Tammy Faye was so much more than mascara. . .

SORTING OUT TAMMY FAYE!

I was turned off by Tammy Faye  . . . after all, everything I ever read or saw on TV about her somehow deeply disturbed me.  THEN YEARS LATER, in Palm Desert, while waiting in a packed nail boutique, in bounces Tammy Faye.  I don't say 'bounce' lightly, for this highly charged, full of life woman really made an entrance.  I was not impressed, after all, I disliked sitting in a boutique waiting on something so silly as getting my nails done.  But being a professional and in the public, I believed this was a necessary thing that I do.  However, it quickly became obvious that for Tammy Faye, being in a nail boutique was heaven and having one's nail done was a blessing.  This encounter occurred at a time when Tammy Faye had already been through the humiliation of the PTL scandal and had divorced Jim, and her second husband, Roe was doing time in prison as well. I believe she had already been diagnosed with cancer.  To me, she had been through much . . .         Every eye in the boutique was on her including mine,  yet she was too busy chatting to even notice.  She took a seat beside me and I remember thinking, 'no way do I desire to converse with this woman.'  But that was short lived, for she immediately turned and laughingly said, "I love it when this place is packed, it just proves that women have their priorities straight."  From that moment, she engaged me in a conversation that would forever change my view of her.      The TV hoisted above the waiting area had the news on and  she commented on about every news story.  All of them seemingly were very tragic on that day.  AND THEN SHE SAID, "my life has been so blessed, that it's breaks my heart to see people go through so much, I'm so fortunate."    'Wow,' I thought. . . this lady has been through so much herself and is still going through a lot . . .   Surely she's delusional and out of touch with reality.  But for the next hour and a half, I learn much about this amazing woman from just watching her exist in the moment.       Tammy Faye had a spirit and authenticity that was captivating and had I not experienced it for myself, I would still believe her to be bizarre and annoying.  Finally my manicurist was ready for me . . . Fortunately, the manicurist next to mine called Tammy Faye for her appointment and we continued talking while they worked on us.  I have heard people say that reading what the tabloids write about her and watching her on TV does not do her justice.  I truly came to understand that . . .      She possessed a spirit and gentleness that was rather amazing.  She was far from being self-absorbed and very interested in everyone around her.  She took time to share her best thoughts, words of inspiration and encouragement with others.  She had no need to elevate herself above others and with a sweet sense of humility was able to laugh at herself.  All of this was filled with a refreshing simplicity, openess, and genuine desire to connect with anyone, everyone. . .        Prior to that day had I been ask to list the ten most annoying people in society, Tammy Faye would have been on the top of that list.  However, walking out of that boutique, I realized how I had been so judgmental of her.  She was very insightful and possesses a depth that's most people miss because of the caricature-like distractions from her mascara and mannerisms.  That day she left an indelible impression of simply being a sweet human who loved her God and genuinely loved people.  In that one experience, she offered me an extension into her world where she saw the best in others and lived in a spirit of gratitude for everything.