When I was seven-years-old my brother took me to what would be the fourth-highest-grossing film of 1981 and an international blockbuster. The film was "Hardly Working" and starred a familiar face: Jerry Lewis.

Growing up, Jerry Lewis was part of my life so much that I didn't realize how much. I would see his films on Sunday afternoons repeated on television and catch his annual telethon while visiting with aunts and uncles on Labor Day.

Then came the college years. I didn't catch the telethon and hardly watched any television.

I graduated in 1998 and was completely on my own by 2000. It was then that, seeing how many of motion pictures were on cable, I thought of Jerry Lewis again. I began taping the films and later, when they began being issued to DVD, I bought them.

In the earlier part of this decade Jerry was faced with some rather immense physical problems. If he had given up then no one would have blamed him. However, he went on. That seems to be the summation of Jerry Lewis: he goes on. In doing so, God used him as an example to me, with my physical difficulties. The 2003 Telethon is particularly memorable to me. I had a shattering personal setback, but when I turned on the Thon I focused on individuals who had there problems, too. It reinforced to me that as long as I can, in whatever way I can, I want to help others.

Fast forward to now. I never thought I would have the chance to see Jerry Lewis perform live. I figured he would be in Las Vegas, California, or Europe. However, he's coming to Michigan. A five hour trek from where I am living. And I just bought the tickets today.

It's June 3, I have to remind myself that the show is still over a month away. I'm afraid I'm going to drive people nuts talking about it until then.

~Mark