Tuesday, September 24, 2013

Yeah Write: The Grateful Dead Concert at Solider Field, 1991


The Grateful Dead at Soldier Field, 1991
www.flickr.com

My husband’s concern for us was tender and sweet. Slightly smothering at times but I felt very much loved and cared for and even more so when I was pregnant.

He is a worrier. Not a risk taker. He is practical.

So asking if we (he, me and baby bump) could accompany some out-of-town friends to a concert that weekend was pushing the envelope for him.

“It’s free fun! And they have kick butt seats,” I added, thinking it would sex up the deal since disposable income didn't exist.

He didn’t buy it. His list of reasons was a mile long for why we shouldn’t put our baby or me at risk in a crowd of 50,000 people.

“What happens if you get bumped or pushed or fell? I don’t like it. At all.”

“You’re right, Honey,” I said, head hung low.

When you’re 8 months, 1 week pregnant, there aren’t a lot of things you can physically do, or feel like doing, or are excited to do. To say I wasn’t severely disappointed would be lying.

My girlfriend suggested retail therapy.

“It always works!”

So we headed to Michigan Avenue and Water Tower Place.

And that’s when the skies opened up and a beaming glow from up above shined down on me.

Okay. Not really, but the tables turned, for sure.

“Dr. Fitzmaurice! Hiiiii! What are you doing in the city?” I asked, feeling a little bit busted for some reason, running into my baby doctor in downtown Chicago.

“Hanging out for the weekend. What are you doing in the city?”

(Dr. Fitzmaurice: approximately 37 years old, youngest member of the OBGYN practice, apparently hip.)

“This is my childhood friend, Cristina. We were hoping to go to a concert tonight at Solider Field.”

“The Grateful Dead! That’s so cool! What do you mean hoping?”

“My husband…”

“I’ve met him.”

“Well, he’s having a problem with me attending because I’m due so soon. He’s heard they squirt acid or LSD from water bottles at people walking by. And, of course, people smoking dope. He thinks drugs will get into my system and put the baby at risk. We’re sitting in the sound booth area, away from the crowd, so all we really have to do is get inside!”

“Just a second,” he said.

Grabbing his wallet from the back pocket of stylish jeans, he removed a business card. Began writing.

“I give Gina permission to attend the Grateful Dead concert tonight at Solider Field. The wellbeing of your baby will not be at risk if she is squirt with water. Also, there is little chance she will hallucinate, much to her possible dismay. Bill”

“This is outstanding!” I hugged him.

“If he has a problem, tell him to call me. Hey, do you have any extra tickets?”

(Dr. Fitzmaurice: approximately 37 years old, youngest member of the OBGYN practice, totally hip)

I left the mall with a spring in my step as we walked back to my friend’s hotel. I had a permission slip! Na, na, na, na, na, nah!!!!!

“And I DID NOT forge this,” I said as I gleefully presented the card to my husband.

The Grateful Dead Concert at Soldier Field, 1991
photo credit: davidmcgough.com

Hey! Come over to Yeah Write and visit!

40 comments:

Mithu said...

Hahahahaa!
This was so much fun to read!

Gina said...

I'm so glad! The concert was crazy. Baby turned out fine (at least it seems so 23 years later).

Mamarific said...

Oh, I just love this. God bless that young, hip doctor!

Erica M said...

Cute story!

William Dameron said...

So, did you have any extra tickets?

Anonymous said...

ha, AWESOME story. and pretty cool that the baby has been to a Dead show!

Gina said...

That's good karma, baby! He was pretty cool and I did NOT want him to deliver the baby. I wanted the old fart!

Gina said...

Thanks, Erica!

Gina said...

My friend's hubby was the licensing attorney for The Dead so we didn't really have seats. They let us hang out on the sound stage in the middle of the field. Super fun!

Gina said...

That crowd was quite a sight! Sting, his only time doing so, was the backup band! Kick ass concert. She loves The Dead now but how could she not.

LaTonya Baldwin said...

Sounds like a good time.

Unknown said...

wow...talk about an opportune run in. That was a great story...Do you tell it to your kid now?

TMWHickman said...

Hahaha! Your doctor sounds like my doctor. I am glad that you were able to go to the concert--those are really fun, I've heard!

Marcy said...

How hilarious to get a note from your doctor! Ha!

Linda Roy said...

That is an awesome story Gina! Hurray for your hip doc. I would've loved to see the look on your husband's face when you presented him with the permission slip. I mean, what are the chances? So funny!

psychochef said...

Awesome story! Did you name your baby Jerry? ; )

Stacie said...

You can never start the deadheads too young!

Gina said...

It was a blast. Met Bob Weir and Jerry!

Gina said...

Karma!!!! I was meant to go to that concert! She knows.

Gina said...

They are so much fun. Might have been even more fun if I wasn't pregnant ;-). Yes, he was cool.

Gina said...

So timely!

Gina said...

And my husband was shocked. Accused me of forging at first. I had back up, though, and it wasn't my messy female handwriting but a man's.

Gina said...

I wish I still had it. I wonder if he does. I gave it to him. He didn't believe me at first. He is used to me. And it was meant to be.

Gina said...

Thanks! It was a girl. I guess she could have been Jeraldine?

Gina said...

That's really young. It's so funny how they come around and start liking the old rock music we like. Then there are the contemporary remakes that they think originated in their time. They are shocked when I sing the words.

Anonymous said...

You are sooo lucky! What a great story! See, retail therapy really does solve everything!

Natalie DeYoung said...

Hahaha! This is the best story ever! :) Glad you got to go.

Gina said...

And I'm not a shopper by nature and certainly wasn't being THAT preggers but it was in the stars!

Gina said...

It was hilarious at the time. I wonder if my husband still as that card. I should ask although it's doubtful he does (but he does save a lot of stuff so maybe).

opinion8dhermit said...

I saw the dead....some time between 91 and 93??? I am not a fan (no offense, just not my style) but I was a teen and had never been to a concert so I tagged along with my mom and aunt. That is awesome that you got "permission" from your OBGYN :)

Bill Cooper said...

If this was June 22 91, it was my first show. Pretty incredible!

You can listen to it here: http://archive.org/details/gd1991-06-22.sbd.unknown.29057.sbe-fix.flac16

Gina said...

Very cool!!! Birth date was 7/14. Thanks for stopping by, Bill.

Gina said...

I like The Dead. That was some concert you got to see as a teen. Then again, my parents let me see The Stones at Soldier Field when I was 16. That permission slip was the "golden ticket" for sure.

Christie Tate said...

THat is an awesome story! I am totally jealous of all of it! July babies rock, BTW.

Gina said...

It was fun. Not necessarily being pregnant in the Chicago heat but the concert was. July babies do. I'm a fall baby and prefer that.

Anonymous said...

Best. Baby Doc. Ever.
Great story! Loved your post!

Gina said...

He was so cool. I saw him recently (not as my doctor but while in the office). Boy, is he OLD! ;-) Thanks, Beth!

Kristin said...

I never got to see the GD, but I did see The Jerry Garcia Band - and that's pretty close. Glad you got to go!

Lisha @ The Lucky Mom said...

This New Orleans girl was in the crowds at Mardi Gras at 38 weeks, pushing my way to the front so I could see. "It'll be fine," I said. And it was. Right up until the moment my water broke. :-) Glad your story ended with dancing and not a trip to the hospital!

Anonymous said...

Great story! I'm married to one of those practical men too; I think it's a positive thing more often than not! So glad you got to go!