January 28th: The joy of cheering others on

Today I had a chance to cheer some others on.  I was able to hear of their successes, and the struggles that almost prevented them from succeeding.  Throughout the conversation I’d occasionally interupt because I thought something they’d said was quite remarkable and I’d give some verbal applause.   I was lucky enough to see in their faces a sense of accomplishment and pride (what I think of as the best kind of pride) and to ask about future endeavors they were planning.

All told it was probably about an hour  exchange and at the end of our conversation I asked if there was anything I could do that they’d find truly helpful and encouraging.   They thought for a moment and mentioned a few things, some of which included continuing to do what I’ve been doing, only moreso.

I was happy to be in the mode of Giving Applause rather than worrying about receiving it.  Just now I’m remembering a poem I wrote about the subject years and years ago.  I’ll try to remember it:

The first time I ever heard applause, really heard it deep down, I was seven. My free agency had been forced upon me by my mother who didn’t realize  That pianos, like dolls, were meant for girls. So I HAD to practice. Never was a half hour so long, filled with more drinks of water, Checking the kitchen clock and  l o n g  visits to the bathroom. The recital finally came.  It was Saturday and I HAD to wear a tie. When my moment arrived I performed John Schwanns ENTIRE GREEN BOOK   And then, applause. From initial embarrassment soon came the thrilling realization  That they were clapping for me. Me who couldn’t play kick the can because I HAD to PRACTICE. Me who didn’t make the OK Food Center Jets Baseball team because I HAD to PRACTICE. Well, forgotten were the fears of being murdered in Pit and the Metronome.  Forgotten was all the teasing. All I remembered was standing too tall, bowing too much  And letting my whole soul drink in the glorious sound of APPLAUSE!!

EPILOGUE and PRAYER:                                                                                                        When I leave mortality, its pains and fears and enter into holier spheres                             Angelic choirs needn’t sing, dear God, Just let me hear them all APPLAUD!!!!

Although I laugh about it now, I really believe I was onto something when I discovered that applause is a very powerful thing.  We forget all the pains of rehearsals, all the sacrifices, all the fears before the performance that we might fail.  The applause sort of takes that all away.  That’s why I’ve had dreams at night that passing through the Pearly Gates. if I’d done a good job, played my part well, fought the good fight,  then the heavens would erupt in a glorious standing ovation THUS ERASING so much of the pains and fears of mortality.    Today I was lucky enough to do the clapping, so to speak, and found the joy of cheering others on.   I going to try and make a habit of it.