Today I saw a little bit of what life’s about. Today I saw it in Carol Ann. Now that's
not her name. I don’t know her name at all, but tonight I'm calling her Carol Ann.
There’s something really free about that name. Carol Ann.
I am finishing up a show in some town called Middletown. I think the shore is nearby.
It’s very cute. Tonight is the second night of a weekend long Church Festival. I think
the whole town is here. I did a dry ice demonstration. The kids loved it. Carol Ann
loved it. Carol Ann. This somewhat older (than me) woman, with beautiful maybe
graying flowing hair, kinda nerdy smart looking glasses, but most of all, this being with
eyes FULL OF LIGHT AND LIFE. You’ve seen those people, right? Eyes bursting with
joy and life? It’s freakin' mesmerizing. Carol Ann had those eyes and they shined their
light my way a bunch of times in less than an hour.
So now, as I sit here in my car, around 8pm, eating a yummy hot dog, with a hint of
mustard and ketchup, cause that’s exactly how I like it, I can see Carol Ann. There’s a
band performing now. Carol Ann must follow them because she appears to know all the
words to all the songs, most of them theirs. The band sounds good. I like them. Carol
Ann, who brought a chair to sit front and center, (cause people with that light of life in
their eyes are always front and center in their lives) is having The! Best!! Time!!! She is
hardly contained in that little seat, dancing like Springsteen is on stage. She is
enjoying this warm spring Thursday evening. I’m in awe.
Sometimes I get too shy to express my enjoyment so freely, so unselfconsciously, so
perfectly. Not Carol Ann. Not tonight.
After my demonstration earlier, Carol Ann gave me such a warm goodbye and said how
much she enjoyed getting to see what I did three whole times (since she did have the
seat front and center). I was already happy, but her light made me happier. My best
friend just this morning reminded me that everybody’s energy touches everyone around
them, consciously or not, purposely or not. She touched me for sure. She is the reason
I decided to stay awhile, albeit in my car, at least I didn't run home like I tend to do.
Today I see life’s about letting go and enjoying this blessing flowing in and out of our
nostrils,,, sometimes for me through my mouth, cause I got asthma. Ugly Betty can wait,
I’m gonna live tonight with real people, right here and right now, albeit in my car. I’m
going to listen to the band a little more. Thanks Carol Ann! Thanks a lot.