I'll have a full recap of Supercon in the next day or so, but for now, I'd like to share the most special moment to me.
As my friends, family, fans and readers know I have that cool story about meeting, hanging and becoming friends with Bret Hart. That relationship was birthed by being in the right place at the right time, a serendipity of course, and my artwork. I have always said that Bret as a person was absolutely amazing. Truly his persona carried from ring to reality and was also the best. Perhaps it was in his raising. I feel for sure that Stu and Helen Hart molded not only a dynasty for wrestling fans, but the most caring and down to earth family as well.
At Supercon I had a few wrestling pieces on display, including one of course of the Hitman. A couple of beautiful young ladies came over to my table after noticing that piece. One of them asked if I had any other wrestlers. She held up Bret's drawing and stated he was her uncle. Slowly her face became slightly recognizable. She stated that her father had been a wrestler as well. Of course I had to ask who it was, and imagine my shock and delight when she said it was Davey Boy Smith, "The British Bulldog." That connected it for me. I had just seen this young lady, Georgia Smith, interviewed while watching the Hart and Soul Anthology on Netflix a few days before. With her, was her cousin Shelby-Raee' Smith and not to far down the aisle, Diana Hart, wife of Davey, sister of Bret.
What a small world it was.
She came over and we instantly all clicked. I shared the story of my time with Bret, and one in particular of an encounter with Davey. We laughed and smiled. We chatted like old friends newly found. I tried to explain to my daughters exactly who they were meeting, but sadly it became clear that because Davey had passed, they'd never really know.
I promised them a picture of Davey by the end of the show.
I was a bit nervous as I wanted to give them something worthwhile. Surprisingly the piece came rather easily. After all, I'd grown up watching Davey in classic matches with Bret.
When the time came to give them the picture, they were so pleased. They said that Davey Would have appreciated it, and we agreed he was there in the moment somehow. Then a fly came along and was buzzing us all, not leaving us alone. Diana said it must be Owen pranking and teasing. Oddly this all went down on Bret's birthday. We hugged, and laughed and chatted some more, took some pictures, and decided to stay in touch. Diana said that It seemed somehow that fate had lead us all to this moment. Touching and true. As for my girls, they know the Bulldog well now. When we came home I dug out the old VHS tapes and we watched some of the best wrestling matches EVER! To my new friends found, thank you for making the con magical and cool! I feel like there must be some underlying cosmic connection through my art to the Harts.
