Standing Ovations are a shared experience of appreciation in sports and theater—that moment when something is so exceptional that you can’t help but jump to your feet with tears in your eyes and a glow in your heart. Consider this your seven-minute standing ovation!

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A girl is blessed when she can give a seven-minute standing ovation to everyone who has special meaning and still does not touch its depth. I remember Wali Jones when he gave his speech at his mural unveiling. He couldn’t stop thanking people. It was their mural, our mural, and somehow, he made us all feel worthy of standing ovations ourselves.

The Applause-Worthy Power of Writing

Like Wali’s endless gratitude, I am constantly thankful for the power of these writings in my life. They are your muses, though they do me so much good I forget how meaningful they are to all of us. I write through the most difficult life challenges, and somehow, it makes me feel better to share when you drop me a note and tell me how much it means to you, that you love it, or that you feel like you’re getting your weekly dose of Stephanie time.

It feels so lopsided sometimes because the gifts I get from writing are therapeutic and transformative. They add joy to my life and give back in so many ways that I can’t belt out loud enough, “Thank you for the music!” They make me see life in new and exciting ways. I never leave a piece behind without feeling like we’ve made a footstep of love and joy in the world—moments worthy of standing ovations. And for that, I’m grateful.

Nuria: The Legend Behind My Muses

But I’m even more grateful for you, most specifically, Nuria. She comments on every single muse. Dare I say if I were a money-making machine, I’d be paying someone mega bucks to do what she does for free, tirelessly. She writes comments that are better than my muse and somehow makes it look like I’m the writer! If comments could receive standing ovations, hers would always bring down the house.

Our Basketball Connection

And that’s just Nuria I’m talking about here. And I’m singling her out here because while I was responding to her comment I started to realize the connection we have between us. She worked at the Miami Heat for my Dad and Mr. Schaffel back in the day when they were the owners, and we always had that basketball family connection. We both love my Dad and my family. When Nuria loves you, you’ll never forget it! She has such a heart that it radiates love miles away–the kind of love that deserves standing ovations!

A Light in Dark Times

In 2021, when I cared more about creative titles, I dedicated a muse to her: The Washed-Up Muse–Flash Flood Warnings & The Brutal Truth! In current lingo, she got me through cancer, pulling me up out of the murky flood waters I’d sometimes find myself in.

Discovering Our Shared Theater Connection

But when Alex and I went to her daughter’s wedding last year and met her brother, it turned into a muse I’ll never forget. This is one of my all-time favorite muses about Nuria and her family: Finding Tinker Bell & Peter Pan.

At that wedding, I learned something else amazing about Nuria. Her daughters did community theater. How could we have so much in common without even trying?

The Epiphany: Where Sports Meets Theater

This backstory sets the stage for what I realized next. While responding to her comment in last week’s Muse that she used to sneak into all her daughters’ auditions and performances with her Mom, I suddenly had this epiphany about my own life.

I’m sure you’ve seen this one coming long before I did, but I have spent my entire life watching my Dad in sports. Then, I was blessed enough to watch my daughters in the theater. Different seats. Different venues, but the same joy that leads to standing ovations.

Finding My Blogging Voice

But these two vantage points have led me to be the most schizophrenic blogger out there. I love sports and theater, and I’m no good at either! But, boy, can I give kudos and standing ovations when they’re due!

Seeds of Inspiration

During one of our exchanges, Nuria planted a seed that has been growing in my mind ever since. She wrote, “It would be a wonderful world if we could all be teammates.”

Those words—”wonderful world”—stayed with me, echoing Louis Armstrong’s timeless melody. It takes me back to “It’s A Wonderful World,” a song that deserves standing ovations in its own right.

The Joy of Standing Ovations

Truly, it’s a wonderful world when we can enjoy watching a sports game, watching our kids act and sing in a theatrical production, or, heck, watching anyone perform such acts. It reminds us what a wonderful world it is.

Whether I leaped to my feet when Dr. J made that impossible baseline move or rose with tears in my eyes as Alexandra delivered her lines as Tanya in Mamma Mia last week, those standing ovations connect these seemingly different worlds. In both arenas, we rise as one to celebrate excellence and acknowledge that we’ve witnessed something legendary.

In theater circles, they call it a “Standing O”—the ultimate sign of audience appreciation. In my life, the ‘O’ has taken on extra meaning—it’s not just for ovation; it’s for Ortiz. As an Ortiz, I’ve spent a lifetime giving and receiving these special moments of recognition, whether from the bleachers or the theater seats.

Gratitude for My Legends

I love my legends!

Thank you for the music, the moments, and the love they bring.

And, just as sports and theater don’t always go hand in hand, let’s end this note on an anthem for the muser, Louis Armstrong style!

A Legend Maker’s Wonderful World

(To the tune of “What a Wonderful World”)

I see hearts aglow,
Red roses too,
In every face,
I see love bloom.
Legends shine bright,
And I think to myself,
What a wonderful world.

After games hard-fought,
Rivals unite,
Athletes and actors,
Sharing tales at night.
And I think to myself,
What a wonderful world.

Sons and daughters on stage,
Lights shining bright,
Singing stories to life,
Pure joy in sight.
The crowd soars with delight,
As talents unfold,
And I think to myself,
What a wonderful world.

I hear voices of legends,
Echoing through the sky,
Teaching us courage,
To rise and to try.
I see foes shaking hands,
Saying, “How do you do?”
They’re really saying,
“I love you.”

And I think to myself,
We’re legends in this world.
Yes, I think to myself,
What a wonderful world.

My Personal Legends

When I look around at the legends in my life—Nuria, Alex, my daughters, my mom, my dad, Wali Jones, Pop Jones, Julius Erving, and yes, even the entire 1983 76ers team—I see that they weren’t just basketball greats; they embodied values that everyone can live by. Each one deserves standing ovations for their impact on my life.

An Invitation to Rise Together

I’ve always loved Louis Armstrong’s “What a Wonderful World.” It’s impossible to mess with perfection, but this is my tribute to the legends in my life. I invite you to join me in a standing ovation for all the legends in this wonderful world—including yourself.

A Teaser for Next Week

I promised you Mamma Mia photos this week, but I’ve decided to keep you on the edge of your seat for another week. (Consider it my way of building dramatic tension, just like in the theater!) Next week, I’ll share our family’s complete Mamma Mia journey – from our early Super Trooper costumes to Alexandra’s recent performance as Tanya that earned thunderous standing ovations.

For now, picture me in the audience, jumping to my feet, hands clapping wildly, whether it’s at the 76ers game or the final curtain call of Mamma Mia—giving standing ovations in both worlds I love.

A Classic Standing O!