oscar night
My dad said that if he won he would’ve said “Get to bed Gilly, it’s way past your bed time,” while holding his Oscar with pride.
I’ll never forget the year my dad was nominated for an Oscar.
He was up for best sound mixer for the movie Unforgiven.
It was the most glamourous I’d ever see my parents, and I still love to pull out the photo of my dad in an expensive tuxedo, my mom in a floor length gown with her hair in big loose curls. I always thought they looked like movie stars.
My mom says I remember the pure unadulterated luxury of all, feeling as if Rob and I were in some extravagant Hollywood movie.
I saw him for a split second on the red carpet. No one else saw it, but when we rewinded it to see it I was right.
Apparently their limousine didn’t arrive so Morgan Freeman invited them to share his. My mom couldn’t stop smiling. Freeman left the limo first and the crowd went wild. They followed him up the red carpet with Jan Fonda just ahead, Susan Sarandon and Tim Robbins following behind.
My dad didn’t win that night, but he brought home a chocolate Oscar and was still a winner to us. I remember bringing a piece of that chocolate Oscar to school wrapped up in saran wrap.
My mom says my dad was relieved he didn’t have to go on stage, and that he knew that simply being nominated by his peers at the Academy was honour enough. She said he was happy to leave the glitz and the glamour and slip into his Berkinstocks.
My dad doing a radio interview in LA
That’s why I love my dad. I grew up knowing he was good at what he did. Every morning he would be up at the crack of dawn, his big work van filled with sound equipment warming up in the driveway while it was still dark outside.
He’d usually come back when I was already in bed. But he would leave sweet treats under my pillow so that I knew he cared. When he got off early one day he showed up to my gymnastics recital to surprise me.
I loved visiting him on film sets. Cast and crew would always come up to me and tell me how much they loved my dad. Even with the long hours he always had a good sense of humor and did his job well.
That year was his big break. He didn’t need a gold Oscar to know how important it was, he’d already won. He put in the time, effort and skill.
Tonight we got together at a friend’s house. A feast was made and I made big bowls of gourmet popcorn, one salty, one sweet, and we took in the show.
My dad sat quietly, still humble, knowing how close he came but just as happy to be sitting comfortably with a home cooked meal surrounded by those who love him.
March 8th, 2010 at 6:45 am
What a beautiful family memory! The oscars must have been really special to you, I enjoyed watching them as well =)
Take care,
Kristin
March 8th, 2010 at 10:25 am
Wow, I thought you were joking at first. That’s amazing! I definitely think that just being nominated would be an honor enough for me.
March 8th, 2010 at 1:23 pm
Beautiful post! What a wonderful father you have!
March 8th, 2010 at 6:26 pm
I remember when your Dad was nominated too. The local news came to our house and interviewed Grandma. We were all so excited! I was telling that story to friends while we watched last night. Your Dad is awesome.
March 8th, 2010 at 11:53 pm
Aww, this is such a precious story!!! I’m kinda star struck right now…
I hope you had a lovely night watching the Oscars! You must be so proud of your papa!! He sounds like such a great guy.
March 9th, 2010 at 4:29 am
precious!
such a nice story and moment that will stay with your family forever. you have a wonderful father, gillian, and you are a wonderful daughter 
March 10th, 2010 at 12:52 am
Oh Gill thanks so much for sharing this with us. This is such a lovely story. Wow I would be uber proud of my dad too.
March 10th, 2010 at 9:35 am
what a neat story. your parents looked amazing on oscar night. i love what your dad would’ve said. so “fatherly.”
March 10th, 2010 at 2:16 pm
how amazing- that is so cool that he was nominated and you and your dad look so great together!
March 11th, 2010 at 3:19 pm
What a stunning memory!