Post by Jazmyn Rain on Oct 15, 2017 21:11:33 GMT -5
My First Fan
Opening Thoughts
Jazmyn Rain: Monday at the C2 Con was an incredible experience. I have to admit that I ended up with a lot more fans in my line than I expected and I absolutely love the fact that I was able to experience such joy with them. There was a point in my career where I wasn’t very popular, but that was because of my own doing. I don’t blame them for not being fans of me then. I was on a downward spiral toward self-destruction at the time and around 19 months ago, it appeared that I was going down that road again. I had just lost the Global Championship that meant everything to me and it seemed like I was going to lose them all over again, but that didn’t happen. They stuck by me throughout this, and through the worst of times, they’ve always been there.
For the last year and a half, all I have ever done is inspire the people. But on Monday, the people inspired me. Hearing story after story about how I managed to drive them to get themselves out of the gutter, tale after tale about how I inspired them to do some amazing things in this world, anecdote after anecdote about how I’ve pulled someone out of the dumps of a bad day… to say the least… they returned the favor today. They inspired me.
They didn’t have to stand by me through my ups and downs. When I was going through my worst of times, they didn’t have a reason to even be a fan of me. Honestly, when I was at my worst, I didn’t even deserve them. In fact, for so long, because of my own flaws, I used to feel like I had no reason to have any fans at all. But perhaps Monday is a day that is going to change my perspective some. They returned the favor by inspiring me, and now at Dissension, I need to return the favor double. There’s only one way that I am going to be able to do that…
That one way?
Climb the mountain. Beat Trixie. Beat Jew Blazer. Become the NGW Five Lakes Champion. Easier said than done, I am definitely aware of that. But I’ve pulled some of the biggest miracles that are unheard of. I’m not saying climbing said mountain would be one, but deep down, I know I have that sort of pedigree… a pedigree that neither Trixie or Jew Blazer have to the extent that I do. Sunday is going to be one heck of a ride, but deep down in my heart, I know how it’s going to end. It’s going to end with me being the NGW Five Lakes Champion… one that the fans deserve!
Date: October 9, 2017
Jazmyn’s line at the C2 Con has closed for the day and the Charlotte native is taking some time to clear her desk and allow the crew to start cleaning up. Jazmyn puts the last few things in a box that she brought with her and she sets the box aside. Standing up from her chair, she looks around the building and soaks in the atmosphere of the C2 Con as it wraps up for the first day. A smile creeps on her face, feeling proud of herself and knowing, through so many of the fans that came to see her today, that she’s definitely making the difference that she wishes to make in the world. It’s been a day of positive surprises, but little does the former Global Champion know that she’s about to get one more good one.
Voice: Am I too late to get an autograph?
Jazmyn, who was looking to her right when she heard a voice familiar to her, looks ahead and a wide smile appears on her face.
Jazmyn: Dad!!!
Jazmyn wastes no time greeting her father with a hug. He wastes no time returning the embrace and for Jazmyn, who shamelessly fit the “daddy’s girl” stereotype when she was growing up, this means the world to her. She has always been close with her father throughout her entire life to the point where the bond between them is unbreakable. After they let each other go, Jazmyn looks back at her father with a happy gleam in her eyes, elated to see him as always.
Jazmyn’s father: Let’s cut to the chase. I’m not missing this for the world knowing what you’re about to pull on Sunday.
Jazmyn laughs and smiles, obviously enjoying the confidence boost she just got.
Jazmyn: I swear, I’ve always been able to count on you. What brings you here?
Jazmyn’s father: I was always going to come to San Francisco for the week.
Jazmyn: Well… yeah. I had a feeling you’d be at Dissension on Sunday, but I wasn’t expecting to see you… you know… HERE!
Jazmyn’s father: I figured that I’d just stop by, take a look around and see exactly how popular you really are and let me tell you, I was blown away. Way to make me feel guilty!
Jazmyn: Guilty? About what?
Jazmyn’s father: Remember over a year ago when you went through your… well… brush with death?
Jazmyn: Oh…
Jazmyn’s smile turns into more of a curious pout as she wonders where her dad is going with this.
Jazmyn’s father: As you obviously know by now, a cardiac arrest is no joke and the fact that you came out of it the way you did was a miracle. But I also remember that shortly after you got out of the hospital, all you ever wanted to do was continue your GCW career. Remember when I told you it was a bad idea because I thought wrestling was the cause of your demons?
Jazmyn: Yeah, I remember. But, that’s nothing to feel guilty about. I was never upset with you over it. But why feel guilty nonetheless? You didn’t do anything wrong. You were trying to look out for me, that’s all.
Jazmyn’s father: Jazmyn, from the moment I held you in my arms for the first time, I knew you were a special little girl. But, I had no idea how great of an extent that was. So seeing you here, surrounded by so many people, it really brought so much with your perspective…. My life… more importantly, your life… and it made me realize how short life can really be.
Jazmyn: Huh? What are you getting at?
Jazmyn’s father: Well, last year, you almost died. Actually, you WERE dead… for three minutes… but still. You haven’t taken life for granted since and I’m happy for you on that. However, I think I’m starting to see your perspective now…
Jazmyn raises her eyebrows, worrying about her father’s cryptic words.
Jazmyn: Dad, you’re scaring me.
Jazmyn watches her father sigh as he looks like he is trying to figure out a way to tell Jazmyn something important that she’s about to learn. He takes a deep breath and he decides to get to the point.
Jazmyn’s father: I’m sorry. Maybe I should have just said it straight up. To make a long story short, I went to the doctor for a routine check up recently. They found something that wasn’t right, but they figured it was minor so they let it pass. A couple of weeks later, they found that what wasn’t right actually was getting worse. So, they did another check up, they added on an ultrasound and… they found out that I have colon cancer.
Jazmyn’s eyes completely widen in shock and her jaw drops and almost right away, her eyes start to well up with tears.
Jazmyn: Dad… no…
Despite being her age, Jazmyn’s instant worrying brings her back to her childhood ways in a sense, where her current confidence as an adult is essentially out the window in this sensitive moment.
Jazmyn: ...I… I don’t want you to die!
Tears start to stroll down her face in reaction to the stunning, upsetting news that she just heard.
Jazmyn’s dad: Jazmyn…
Her father wipes away her tears.
Jazmyn’s dad: That was just the bad news. It’s not what you think. They caught it early. I’m going in for surgery next Monday, then it’s chemo after that for whatever’s left of the cancer. They gave me a more than ninety percent chance of survival, so there’s nothing to worry about.
Jazmyn: But… something can… you know….
Jazmyn’s father: I know, sweetheart. It’s not a guarantee, but it’s going to be fine. I promise you that. The reason why I told you this now is because I want to tell you something that I’ve been wanting to tell you for a long time. I just… didn’t think it’d be so soon. But, let’s say worse comes to worse. Let’s say, god forbid something happens to me, if that ends up being the case, I want you to know before anything takes the turn for the worse that I look at you…
He pauses to wipe away a couple of more tears that are streaming down her face, which helps her compose herself and calm down a little.
Jazmyn’s father: ...I see a woman that is incredible. Like I told you earlier, the moment I first laid eyes on you, I knew you were going to be someone very special in this world. I didn’t know how, it was just a feeling I had at the time. Now, sure, you have had your struggles, so much of them due to your self-esteem growing up. You’ve had your worst moments: the drugs, the struggles to find a purpose in your life, your wrestling pitfalls, your three-minute brush with death… and then I see what you have done every since that ordeal… how you’ve managed to grow, to fight, to inspire, to become the woman that you’ve become… and I’m still amazed. I shouldn’t be, being your father and believing that you had it all within you from the moment we locked eyes for the first time. But I just wanted to say that, more than anything, what I’ve always loved about you is your spirit. Being able to use that spirit within you as a source of strength to drive you above all else to inspire those that love you, family, friends, fans alike… how could I be any more proud of you?
Jazmyn pauses, soaking in these words from her father. In her mind, she’s going through a brief trip down memory lane, reminding herself of how far she’s come over the last year and change since discovering what her true destiny is in this world.
Jazmyn’s father: You’ve come so far in such a short amount of time. You are everything a father would ever want out of his daughter… and then some.
Jazmyn: Oh gosh…
Jazmyn sheds some tears, though these tears are ones of joy as they embrace again.
Jazmyn: Thank you so much for everything you’ve ever done for me. I’m not going to give up on you dad, because you never gave up on me. You’re going to beat this, I know that.
Jazmyn’s father: That’s right, Jazmyn. Keep the faith. I love you, with everything. You’re already a champion to me… you always will be. You’ve got quite the support now, it’s amazing. With all of the fans that you have, and you deserve, no matter what happens from here, just remember that I was the first fan you ever had and that no matter what, I will always be that!
They hold onto their embrace for a few seconds before they let each other go. Jazmyn is able to wipe away a couple of tears, compose herself, and smile.
Jazmyn: I just got a new inspiration for Sunday.
Jazmyn’s father: Not that you really needed it, but I am touched by it nonetheless. You’ve climbed so many mountains that would put Everest to shame. What’s one more like the one you have to climb on Sunday?
Jazmyn: You’re thinking exactly what I am thinking. I’ll show you, one more time, how strong of a champion I can be. We’re going to climb our mountains, Dad! I see no reason why we can’t.
Jazmyn’s father: That’s my girl!
Jazmyn smiles some more.
Jazmyn’s father: SInce we’re here… maybe we should do something together before you call it a night?
Jazmyn: You know I’ll never say no to that!
At that moment, Jazmyn leaves the C2 Con for the night with her father to spend some quality time with him, time, even at the age of 33, she still values and cherishes. No matter where she goes, or what she accomplishes, Jazmyn knows that everything that made her what she is as a woman and as a wrestler today, all started with her father… the first fan she ever had!
Closing Thoughts
Jazmyn Rain: So many people say this, but I truly grew up with the best father in the world. Gosh, where would I be without him? He was always there for me and he was never reluctant to give up anything if it meant it was in my best interests. I’ve lost count of how many moments he could have just given up on me. And yet, despite my former drug addiction and even my brush with death a year and some change ago, he NEVER gave up on me and it’s an inspiring feeling to know just how much I’ve rewarded his faith. Now? I’m going to not just reward his faith and the faith that my friends and fans have in me, I’m going to reward all of the faith and the spirit I have within myself on Sunday to become the NGW Five Lakes Champion!
Opening Thoughts
Jazmyn Rain: Monday at the C2 Con was an incredible experience. I have to admit that I ended up with a lot more fans in my line than I expected and I absolutely love the fact that I was able to experience such joy with them. There was a point in my career where I wasn’t very popular, but that was because of my own doing. I don’t blame them for not being fans of me then. I was on a downward spiral toward self-destruction at the time and around 19 months ago, it appeared that I was going down that road again. I had just lost the Global Championship that meant everything to me and it seemed like I was going to lose them all over again, but that didn’t happen. They stuck by me throughout this, and through the worst of times, they’ve always been there.
For the last year and a half, all I have ever done is inspire the people. But on Monday, the people inspired me. Hearing story after story about how I managed to drive them to get themselves out of the gutter, tale after tale about how I inspired them to do some amazing things in this world, anecdote after anecdote about how I’ve pulled someone out of the dumps of a bad day… to say the least… they returned the favor today. They inspired me.
They didn’t have to stand by me through my ups and downs. When I was going through my worst of times, they didn’t have a reason to even be a fan of me. Honestly, when I was at my worst, I didn’t even deserve them. In fact, for so long, because of my own flaws, I used to feel like I had no reason to have any fans at all. But perhaps Monday is a day that is going to change my perspective some. They returned the favor by inspiring me, and now at Dissension, I need to return the favor double. There’s only one way that I am going to be able to do that…
That one way?
Climb the mountain. Beat Trixie. Beat Jew Blazer. Become the NGW Five Lakes Champion. Easier said than done, I am definitely aware of that. But I’ve pulled some of the biggest miracles that are unheard of. I’m not saying climbing said mountain would be one, but deep down, I know I have that sort of pedigree… a pedigree that neither Trixie or Jew Blazer have to the extent that I do. Sunday is going to be one heck of a ride, but deep down in my heart, I know how it’s going to end. It’s going to end with me being the NGW Five Lakes Champion… one that the fans deserve!
Date: October 9, 2017
Jazmyn’s line at the C2 Con has closed for the day and the Charlotte native is taking some time to clear her desk and allow the crew to start cleaning up. Jazmyn puts the last few things in a box that she brought with her and she sets the box aside. Standing up from her chair, she looks around the building and soaks in the atmosphere of the C2 Con as it wraps up for the first day. A smile creeps on her face, feeling proud of herself and knowing, through so many of the fans that came to see her today, that she’s definitely making the difference that she wishes to make in the world. It’s been a day of positive surprises, but little does the former Global Champion know that she’s about to get one more good one.
Voice: Am I too late to get an autograph?
Jazmyn, who was looking to her right when she heard a voice familiar to her, looks ahead and a wide smile appears on her face.
Jazmyn: Dad!!!
Jazmyn wastes no time greeting her father with a hug. He wastes no time returning the embrace and for Jazmyn, who shamelessly fit the “daddy’s girl” stereotype when she was growing up, this means the world to her. She has always been close with her father throughout her entire life to the point where the bond between them is unbreakable. After they let each other go, Jazmyn looks back at her father with a happy gleam in her eyes, elated to see him as always.
Jazmyn’s father: Let’s cut to the chase. I’m not missing this for the world knowing what you’re about to pull on Sunday.
Jazmyn laughs and smiles, obviously enjoying the confidence boost she just got.
Jazmyn: I swear, I’ve always been able to count on you. What brings you here?
Jazmyn’s father: I was always going to come to San Francisco for the week.
Jazmyn: Well… yeah. I had a feeling you’d be at Dissension on Sunday, but I wasn’t expecting to see you… you know… HERE!
Jazmyn’s father: I figured that I’d just stop by, take a look around and see exactly how popular you really are and let me tell you, I was blown away. Way to make me feel guilty!
Jazmyn: Guilty? About what?
Jazmyn’s father: Remember over a year ago when you went through your… well… brush with death?
Jazmyn: Oh…
Jazmyn’s smile turns into more of a curious pout as she wonders where her dad is going with this.
Jazmyn’s father: As you obviously know by now, a cardiac arrest is no joke and the fact that you came out of it the way you did was a miracle. But I also remember that shortly after you got out of the hospital, all you ever wanted to do was continue your GCW career. Remember when I told you it was a bad idea because I thought wrestling was the cause of your demons?
Jazmyn: Yeah, I remember. But, that’s nothing to feel guilty about. I was never upset with you over it. But why feel guilty nonetheless? You didn’t do anything wrong. You were trying to look out for me, that’s all.
Jazmyn’s father: Jazmyn, from the moment I held you in my arms for the first time, I knew you were a special little girl. But, I had no idea how great of an extent that was. So seeing you here, surrounded by so many people, it really brought so much with your perspective…. My life… more importantly, your life… and it made me realize how short life can really be.
Jazmyn: Huh? What are you getting at?
Jazmyn’s father: Well, last year, you almost died. Actually, you WERE dead… for three minutes… but still. You haven’t taken life for granted since and I’m happy for you on that. However, I think I’m starting to see your perspective now…
Jazmyn raises her eyebrows, worrying about her father’s cryptic words.
Jazmyn: Dad, you’re scaring me.
Jazmyn watches her father sigh as he looks like he is trying to figure out a way to tell Jazmyn something important that she’s about to learn. He takes a deep breath and he decides to get to the point.
Jazmyn’s father: I’m sorry. Maybe I should have just said it straight up. To make a long story short, I went to the doctor for a routine check up recently. They found something that wasn’t right, but they figured it was minor so they let it pass. A couple of weeks later, they found that what wasn’t right actually was getting worse. So, they did another check up, they added on an ultrasound and… they found out that I have colon cancer.
Jazmyn’s eyes completely widen in shock and her jaw drops and almost right away, her eyes start to well up with tears.
Jazmyn: Dad… no…
Despite being her age, Jazmyn’s instant worrying brings her back to her childhood ways in a sense, where her current confidence as an adult is essentially out the window in this sensitive moment.
Jazmyn: ...I… I don’t want you to die!
Tears start to stroll down her face in reaction to the stunning, upsetting news that she just heard.
Jazmyn’s dad: Jazmyn…
Her father wipes away her tears.
Jazmyn’s dad: That was just the bad news. It’s not what you think. They caught it early. I’m going in for surgery next Monday, then it’s chemo after that for whatever’s left of the cancer. They gave me a more than ninety percent chance of survival, so there’s nothing to worry about.
Jazmyn: But… something can… you know….
Jazmyn’s father: I know, sweetheart. It’s not a guarantee, but it’s going to be fine. I promise you that. The reason why I told you this now is because I want to tell you something that I’ve been wanting to tell you for a long time. I just… didn’t think it’d be so soon. But, let’s say worse comes to worse. Let’s say, god forbid something happens to me, if that ends up being the case, I want you to know before anything takes the turn for the worse that I look at you…
He pauses to wipe away a couple of more tears that are streaming down her face, which helps her compose herself and calm down a little.
Jazmyn’s father: ...I see a woman that is incredible. Like I told you earlier, the moment I first laid eyes on you, I knew you were going to be someone very special in this world. I didn’t know how, it was just a feeling I had at the time. Now, sure, you have had your struggles, so much of them due to your self-esteem growing up. You’ve had your worst moments: the drugs, the struggles to find a purpose in your life, your wrestling pitfalls, your three-minute brush with death… and then I see what you have done every since that ordeal… how you’ve managed to grow, to fight, to inspire, to become the woman that you’ve become… and I’m still amazed. I shouldn’t be, being your father and believing that you had it all within you from the moment we locked eyes for the first time. But I just wanted to say that, more than anything, what I’ve always loved about you is your spirit. Being able to use that spirit within you as a source of strength to drive you above all else to inspire those that love you, family, friends, fans alike… how could I be any more proud of you?
Jazmyn pauses, soaking in these words from her father. In her mind, she’s going through a brief trip down memory lane, reminding herself of how far she’s come over the last year and change since discovering what her true destiny is in this world.
Jazmyn’s father: You’ve come so far in such a short amount of time. You are everything a father would ever want out of his daughter… and then some.
Jazmyn: Oh gosh…
Jazmyn sheds some tears, though these tears are ones of joy as they embrace again.
Jazmyn: Thank you so much for everything you’ve ever done for me. I’m not going to give up on you dad, because you never gave up on me. You’re going to beat this, I know that.
Jazmyn’s father: That’s right, Jazmyn. Keep the faith. I love you, with everything. You’re already a champion to me… you always will be. You’ve got quite the support now, it’s amazing. With all of the fans that you have, and you deserve, no matter what happens from here, just remember that I was the first fan you ever had and that no matter what, I will always be that!
They hold onto their embrace for a few seconds before they let each other go. Jazmyn is able to wipe away a couple of tears, compose herself, and smile.
Jazmyn: I just got a new inspiration for Sunday.
Jazmyn’s father: Not that you really needed it, but I am touched by it nonetheless. You’ve climbed so many mountains that would put Everest to shame. What’s one more like the one you have to climb on Sunday?
Jazmyn: You’re thinking exactly what I am thinking. I’ll show you, one more time, how strong of a champion I can be. We’re going to climb our mountains, Dad! I see no reason why we can’t.
Jazmyn’s father: That’s my girl!
Jazmyn smiles some more.
Jazmyn’s father: SInce we’re here… maybe we should do something together before you call it a night?
Jazmyn: You know I’ll never say no to that!
At that moment, Jazmyn leaves the C2 Con for the night with her father to spend some quality time with him, time, even at the age of 33, she still values and cherishes. No matter where she goes, or what she accomplishes, Jazmyn knows that everything that made her what she is as a woman and as a wrestler today, all started with her father… the first fan she ever had!
Closing Thoughts
Jazmyn Rain: So many people say this, but I truly grew up with the best father in the world. Gosh, where would I be without him? He was always there for me and he was never reluctant to give up anything if it meant it was in my best interests. I’ve lost count of how many moments he could have just given up on me. And yet, despite my former drug addiction and even my brush with death a year and some change ago, he NEVER gave up on me and it’s an inspiring feeling to know just how much I’ve rewarded his faith. Now? I’m going to not just reward his faith and the faith that my friends and fans have in me, I’m going to reward all of the faith and the spirit I have within myself on Sunday to become the NGW Five Lakes Champion!
