ME THREE!By Joseph Walker
As dramatic lines go, it wasn't exactly memorable. I mean, it
wasn't "To be or not to be." Heck, it wasn't even, "Lucy, you
got some 'splainin' to do."
It was, in fact, the simplest of lines, consisting of only two
words. But when Brent delivered those two words on stage
during the junior high school musical the other night, it
brought smiles to the faces of everyone who knew him --
not to mention a tear to an eye or two.
That Brent even decided to try out for the musical was
something of a shock to his parents. Tall and handsome,
with a terrific smile and a strong charismatic quality, one
would think Brent would be a natural for the stage. But
Brent is deaf, and most people would assume that being
able to hear lines and cues and music would be pretty
essential for someone thinking about trying out for the
school musical.
At least, Brent's parents did. So when he came home
from school one day and told them that not only had he
auditioned for the musical, but that he had also earned
a spot as one of a group of featured dancers -- and that
he would have a line -- they were surprised. And pleased.
And nervous.
"He has always been willing to try new things, and we've
always encouraged him to do so," his Dad told me on
closing night. "But this ... I never would have predicted this."
The musical was set in America's "roaring twenties," and
Brent Charleston-ed with the best of the dancers on stage
that night. That didn't really surprise me -- I knew him to
be an outstanding athlete, and I've always felt that the only
difference between an outstanding dancer and an outstanding
athlete is that dancers work harder and are in better shape.
I must admit, however, that I was a little surprised at his
sense of rhythm, and how precisely he maintained timing
with the music on each step and movement. And I was
delighted by his efforts to respond facially and physically
to what was being said on stage.
Even though he couldn't hear it.
For a long time, it appeared that Brent's character was
going to be the strong, silent type. And that was
understandable. Although those who know him can
understand him pretty well, public speaking is not the
thing he does best. Only a very courageous and insightful
director would be willing to take such an aesthetic risk in
order to give a courageous young man a chance.
Which is why Brent's line sort of snuck up on me. There
were three young men on stage at the time, and the first
one said something -- I don't remember what. Then the
second boy said, "Me too!" And then Brent leaned
forward, and with a big smile on his face, said, "Me three!"
It was clear, understandable and absolutely wonderful.
I couldn't wait to find Brent after the play to congratulate
him on his performance. I found him with a group of his
friends from the show. The 9th grade girls were putting on
the dark red lipstick from the make-up room and kissing
the 9th grade boys on their cheeks. Brent's cheeks had
been thus "marked" -- several times each -- and he was
clearly loving life. He was one of the boys. Part of the
cast. Nothing special. And yet special indeed.
And no, that isn't just a line -- dramatic or otherwise.
Joseph Walker
valuescom@juno.com
Write Joseph and let him know your thoughts on his story!
___________________________
Joseph Walker has been writing professionally since
1980, when he left college to join the staff of a daily
metropolitan newspaper. For 10 years -- including
six as the paper's TV columnist and critic -- he was
part of the mainstream media, and was painfully
aware of the overwhelming negativity of contemporary
journalism. Joe says, "Nobody was looking for real
solutions to the problems society was facing; they
were just looking for someone or something to blame
the problems on." So in 1990 Joe began writing
ValueSpeak, a weekly syndicated column that
attempts to look at contemporary issues from the
perspective of traditional values. Joe and his wife,
Anita, are parents of five children, and one grandchild.
You'll love his new book, "How Can you Mend a
Broken Spleen!" Ordering is simple and fast at the
following Amazon address:
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/1573453005/qid=972961681/sr=1-6/straighfromthe0a
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How To Mend A Broken Spleen_________________________________________
Reader Feedback!
I can relate to Betty's story, I go through the same routine every time my grands come for a visit and we are glad to see them go, but in no time we both wish for their return. We love all five of our grandchildren and hope for at least two more.
Allean Smith, Alleansmith@aol.com
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Thought For The Day:
"It is right to be contented with what we have, never with what
we are." --Sir James Mackintosh
Verse for the Day:
"I have learned to get along happily whether I have much or little."
Philippians 4:11
Kid's Thought For The Day:
"It's hard to like the piano if you are forced to take lessons."
Parent's Thought For The Day
"A family is a unit composed not only of children, but of men,
women, an occasional animal and the common cold."
--Ogden Nash
Coach's Thought For The Day
"Be sincere. Be simple in words, manners, and gestures.
Amuse as well as instruct. If you can make a man laugh, you
can make him think and make him like and believe you."
--Alfred Smith)
Writer's Thought For The Day:
"I never begin at the beginning of a novel and work right through
from the first chapter to the last. I visualize the book as a
series of scenes rather as if I were shooting a film. These
can be written in any order depending on how I am feeling
at the time ... This jigsaw method of creation means, of
course, that the whole book must be meticulously planned
before any work begins." --P.D. James
Deep Thought For The Day:
Big Bang Theory.....God spoke and "Bang!" It happened...
___________________________________________
_
/_/\/\ MICHAEL T. POWERS
\_\ / HeartTouchers@aol.com
/_/ \ "For I have been crucified with Christ and I no
\_\/\ \ longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I
\_\/ live in the body I live for the Son of God, who
loved me and gave Himself for me."
Galatians 2:20
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Do you feel as if life has no meaning for you?
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