 |
|
|
MARTHA'S LAST MILE
PENSACOLA - We began doing weekly stories with stage 4 breast cancer patient Martha Russell six weeks ago.
She shared with us that she had one Christmas wish she hoped for each year that had not come true *yet."
The folks at the Saengar Theater found out and set out to change that.
They opened their doors and hearts to Martha to fulfill her dream.
We were lucky enough to come along...
Here they come -- in a S-U-V stretch limo...Making Martha feel like a sports star...
Martha Russell; "Laughs...It was a blast, the four of us were just silly, we acted like we were young teenagers. I think Sheila had to get on the phone and call her brother in Georgia. She wanted to know if people could see her side. We just had fun with it."
When we asked Toby Castner of C and C Limousine Service if he would drive Martha and her entourage -- he didn't hesitate...
Toby Caster/C and C Limousine Service; "It wasn't a matter of if we can do it...It's a matter of how do we do it you know."
Martha is about to see the Nutcracker Ballet for the first time.
Martha Russell; "One thing I never did. I never took the time for and so I'm at the point where I'm taking time to do things I've never done so this is up there."
Martha invited three of her closest friends for the experience. They're all ready for an escape...Especially Martha.
Martha Russell; "Take me into fairyland, take me there just for a little while, not be in reality."
The lights dim and the curtain rises...
And fairyland awaits...
Ballet Pensacola's new production of the Nutcracker is underway in all of it's Victorian grandeur..
The dancers twirl and the music swirls...
Martha the musician is in heaven.
Martha Russell; "I loved that part of it cause I love the music, that just give the life to it."
Her favorite part, when the mouse king is slain, always a highlight, but the entire production is magical. Just as her Christmas season has been so far.
Martha Russell; "It's been wonderful, I think it's probably been one of my best Christmases ever. It's like Thanksgiving was and Christmas is doing the same thing, coming together to be more special than any other ones."
As the lights of fairyland fade Martha is ready to head home. One Christmas wish beautifully fulfilled.
Martha Russell; "It was all so wonderful. Just dreamlike, like I wanted."
Kathryn Daniel, Channel Three News.
Next week Martha talks about the groundbreaking book she wrote and why the topic is so controversial.
