Who's on First?

     Walking into a Timeless Connection I’m not certain who I’ll be meeting that day, how many will attend, or what room we’ll be in.  This particular morning, I arrived early and discovered we were set up in the library, and since I had time to spare, I helped a sweet woman look for a cookbook she had been searching for.  She said she hadn’t realized they had a librarian, but I didn’t want to correct her, as she promised me a taste of her impending blueberry biscuits.  

     When the Social bell rang, I had the pleasure of hanging out with two male seniors who played off of each other like Abbott and Costello. I mean, they actually broke into an Abbott and Costello skit.  Hint:  third base. 

With my handy dandy Jeopardy board of topics, I decided to start the conversation off with “Family Anecdote for $100, Alex”. (Note that it will always be Alex for me. Fight me.) I shared how when my father was younger, growing up in Newark NJ, his mom would give him a quarter to go to the movies with his friends.  But Dad was tall, think basketball tall, and the ticket collectors never believed he wasn’t an adult, so he often couldn’t get in with his youth ticket.  He’d wait outside until his friends came out and listen to their description of the movie so he could tell his mom all about it.  He knew they couldn’t afford to give him extra money to buy an adult ticket but he didn’t want them to feel bad.  Well who knew my movie theatre story would open up the floor. Conversation at its finest.

“Bud” piped in and selected ‘Family anecdote for $200”, and I could tell that he was excited to share a memory. When he was younger he snuck into a movie theatre and stayed for a few hours, but he got caught.  I blurted “OH NO!”, but he reassured me, “Wait, it was good!” He had quickly reached deep for an alibi and told the guard he was there looking for a job.  “I worked there for three years!” Bud confided.

     “Lou” was slightly more reticent to share.  Understanding that not all memories are good memories, I never push, so I assured him that he didn’t have to contribute, but “hey, ‘music for $100’ could be fun”. He nodded and grinned with a look I often get from co-workers when they realize I’m not going away. “Lou” then talked about a few of his favorite bands and then really opened up, sharing some of his favorite lyrics from a Bob Dylan song.  Fast forward to the three of us singing a Frank Sinatra tune.  Coincidence that music is a common theme at these Saturday Socials?  Nope.  Music is a great common denominator for linking the generations, and anyone can participate.  Everyone reaches back, smiles, and delights in remembering not just the words but the memories they invoke.  More of this, please. 

     Social ended with “Bud” asking for my business card.  “Would you come back and have breakfast with me? This was fun.”  Heck ya, Bud. Anytime.