Conversation Point

Graceful Purpose

The annual Primetime Emmy Awards were aired on the NBC network last night. Celebrating what television has to offer and honoring its outstanding performances usually happens after Labor Day. But NBC also is thrilled with its renewed contract with the National Football League, now manifesting itself as Sunday Night Football. So we were treated to a bit of elegant fun, prettily-dressed ladies and sassy commentary a little early this year. Conan O'Brien hosted the event with both intelligent charm and wit. The man is funny and smart, and in my book that is about as good as it gets. However, something even better, something beautiful and joyous and unexpected also emerged last evening, and that was the face of genuine, loving friendship.

As happens in any business situation, it is common to forge relationships on a variety of levels. Show business is no different. Some are convenient, useful to the temporary time and place of a particular project, such as a movie, a television series or a play. Others are more deeply felt as actors, directors, producers and writers seek each other out over the years because they enjoy working together. Still others become friends before they become household names, and remain so well into their success. Some relationships don't survive that route through fame, fortune and its pitfalls. Human fear, competitiveness and jealousy sometimes overpower the memories of bonding in a ratty apartment over macaroni and cheese, hopes and dreams. But some do survive, and it is a glimpse into one of those friendships that defined the Emmys for me this year.

When the time came to present the Emmy Award for Outstanding Comedy Series, Conan O'Brien came to the podium to present the award himself. The Emmy went to The Office, a British import translated for American tastes by Executive Producer Greg Daniels, who was also announced with great exuberance by Mr. O'Brien as his friend and former writing partner. It was now clear why Mr. O'Brien was so pleased to be able to present this award. O'Brien's joy for his friend and colleague radiated from his face as Daniels took the stage with his cast, crew and fellow executive producers to accept their award. O'Brien appeared to be more thrilled at his friend's success than even his friend was for himself in receiving the honor. It was a moment of grace in an unexpected place.

Perhaps you have been blessed by one of these overwhelmingly graceful moments in your own life. It is an amazing thing, a great gift, to make a connection with another human being with whom you are able to grow into a relationship of kindness, mutual admiration, respect and love. In Paul's First Letter to the Thessalonians he speaks of friendship in these unique terms: "We always give thanks to God for all of you, and mention you in our prayers, remembering before our God and Father your work of faith and labor of love and steadfastness of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ (I Thessalonians 1:2-3)." That sense of gratitude, faithfulness and working love that are the hallmarks of lasting friendships also need to be remembered and framed as very conscious choices. There is no legal contract that dictates friendship. We are not allowed to leave a marriage or a child without some legal action or recourse, but friendships are all the more mysterious and wonderful because we can choose to stay in them or leave at will.

Somehow we know that our purpose is to be with one another in these chosen spaces in which we share our best, allow for our worst and love each other in spite of it all. Or maybe because of it all. And sometimes we give ourselves permission to stand back and bask in the glory of a friend's success, having believed in it long before the moment had arrived. That is grace.

god's blessings, Cory

posted by Cory L. Kemp @ 11:55 PM