Senior Enthusiasm

SENIOR ENTHUSIASM

July 20, 2009

            I sat at the rehearsal with my box of tickets and moneybag.  My responsibility for the Senior Follies is to appear at the beginning of rehearsals to pass out tickets to each cast member.  After they sell them, the money is turned over to me to record.  I am enchanted by the devotion and energy the dancers and singers emote, so I frequently stay for the entire rehearsal.  Even a dancer's wrong step adds to the uniqueness of the show.

            Each year, the Follies seems to improve.  The theme this year is "Happy Days," with music and songs from the 60's and 70's.  The dancers proudly tap, jitterbug and do the Twist.

            As I watched, one of the dance ladies sat next to me.  She refused to reveal her age, but said she was 90+ years old.  She was a very tall, attractive, agile, gray haired woman and very outspoken.  She studied the dancers for a while, leaned over to me and, in her hard of hearing whisper, said, "Look at her dance.  She's not doing the Twist.  You're suppose to move your feet."

            One of the younger 50+ ladies mouthed to her, "You don't know everything."

            "What do you mean I don't know?" I learned the twist watching Chubby Checker.  Where do you come off telling me that?  You're just a newcomer.  I've been here a lot longer than you."

            "Everyone has their own way to twist," the 50+ answered and turned her head.

            I cringed and looked straight ahead as I attempted to look innocent as this exchange went on.

            The show rehearsal carried on, unaware of this drama.

            Several minutes later, 90+ again turned to me.  "That lady over there has been dancing for 5 years.  Wouldn't you think she would lose some weight?"

            I followed her eyes to a lovely 60+ over-weight woman, tapping and following everyone else perfectly.  She had a beautiful face and soft blue eyes.  Again I cringed.

            "You know, she has a terrible personality," 90+ loudly whispered again.  "When we get dressed for the show, she never talks to us.  Just stays on the other side of the dressing room and won't mingle at all."

            Cringe #3.  I took another look at this 60+ woman and imagined her in the dressing room, maybe embarrassed about her weight, hoping no one was watching her as she changed her clothes.  Possibly by talking, she felt attention would be drawn to her.  I saw a smile on her face as she danced.  She did not fit the picture 90+ painted.

            90+ left her chair to return to practice her number.  I smiled as she got in line, ready to prove her agility.

            I continued watching the show from my chair, tapping my feet and swinging my body to the tempo of the music.  Nothing is as contagious as enthusiasm.

Joanne Murray is my cousin.  She sent me a book her son made for her 75th Birthday.  It contained essays that Joanne had written.  In the interest of bias, I am definitely biased so let's get that out of the way.  But once you and I get passed my bias you come to realize as I have that these essays are something very special especially to her family and THAT IS THE POINT.  As I read them the one of many thoughts that crept into my mind was "why haven't I been doing this?"  Why indeed!  These are thoughts of a daughter, a granddaughter, a mother, a wife, a cousin (like in my case), an aunt etc.  Most who will read these essays have that in common with Joanne.  There are people you know who might enjoy knowing what you think and what experiences you have been exposed to.  Wouldn't it be nice if you let them know by writing them down as my cousin Joanne has done.  It's never too late to get started.  I will be posting them here about one a week and do so with Joanne's permission.  Hope you keep coming back.  Leave your comments below.    Jim "Gymbeaux" Brown