Sorry I've beeen gone so long. No, it isn't because I had the baby. Sorry. I wish that were the case. I've been had twice in the past week, thinking I was going into labor and then not. She's a tricky little thing, but I still love her. I'm trying real hard to be patient with her, but it feels like she should be here already!
I've just been busy the past few days with important family business. Not the least of which was an 83rd birthday celebration extravadanza for Jack's grandfather last Friday. Those old folks sure do know how to party. I was expecting the usual family get together that we always have when someone has a birthday. Not so, this time. Jack's aunt got a little excited over this particular birthday, and boy did she plan a rockin good time.
We arrived at the retirement home about five minutes after 2, which is when the party was scheduled to begin. As we walked in the front door, we could hear quite a ruckus coming from the common area down the hall. There must have been 40 senior citizens sitting in that room, all enthralled by the karaoke singing man at the front. A man who was known only as Reverend Mordecai, his stage name, no doubt, came all the way from Sturgis, MS to entertain and delight the crowd.
At the moment we chose to walk in, the Reverend was really letting loose with his own rendition of "Behind Closed Doors," a song that I was previously unfamiliar with and for good reason. I think my face turned red during the chorus; I don't know how all the 80-year-olds were sitting there with straight faces.
He tried to take requests from the audience, but he didn't seem to have a very wide assortment of songs in his repertoire. Jack's grandad kept requesting, "I Can't Give You Anything but Love, Baby." But every time he yelled it out, Reverend Mordecai thought Jack's grandad was just trying to give him a compliment and responded with a hearty, "Well, thank you very much, sir."
The crowd was also entertained by a special appearance of Mother Goose, as she has dubbed herself, an 80-going-on-13-year-old woman who loves to be seen and heard. If you're from the Golden Triangle area, you no doubt know who I'm talking about. The Reverend was trying to get people up to dance, and he didn't have to ask Mother Goose twice. She shimmied all over the place with her dance partner, (Mere you will appreciate this- she was dancing with Sid Caradine) and did her best to stay in front of the camera.
Not to be outdone, Sid's wife piped up and asked if she could sing. Actually, she more accurately issued the Reverend a challenge: "Do you think you could harmonize with me?" It was a real treat for everyone's ears. Those who couldn't dance, rolled around the floor in their wheelchairs. Even Steven, the 55-year-old maintenance man, joined the fun with his own dance version of shake, rattle and roll.
We sang happy birthday 3 times, ate cake, then the staff closed out the event with a rousing rendition of the electric slide. except for one lady who couldn't quite figure the steps out. She finally decided her own freestyle version would be best, so she placed herself in between the other dancers and the crowd and performed that instead.
All in all, I'd say the party was a raging success. It was still going full throttle with the Cha Cha Slide when we left at 3:30. Those old folks sure know how to throw down. I hope when I'm 83, The Reverend will still be on the road with his traveling karaoke machine. Although in 50 years, he'll probably be 115 or so. A girl can dream though, can't she?
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3 comments:
WOW. wow. wow. wow.
Mother Goose and I go way back. Does she still sing everything instead of talking in a normal voice?
One time at a Red Cross charity event. Mother Goose showed up, part hat on, and sat down at the host's piano and began playing and singing.
love this post.
yes, she still sings everything. when the rev asked if anyone wanted to dance, she jumped up and danced around in a circle, hands thrown in the air like she just didn't care and sang, "me, me, me!... but i'm too shy!"
how do you think she sniffs out all these events? it's like she innately knows when and where a crowd will be gathered. with cameras.
also, one time while celebrating jack's moms birthday at a mexican restaurant, MG showed up and started a conga line.
I think you should know that I cried while reading this post.
Yup. Tears. Legitimate salty tears.
I adore people with a little age. Did you know that I applied to be the events coordniator at the alzymers home here? Well, now you do. I still have high hopes that I will get the position. It only pays like $17,000 a year, so a significant salary cut will be inevitable. I still want it though.
Do you think, when I am the events coordinator, that The Reverend AND Mother Goose can get together and go on a road trip to south mississippi? If you have their cards, that would be splendid.
Have the kid.
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