My three young grandchildren were having a terrible day, one Friday. They had worked so hard on their "Pinewood Derby" cars for a month. Unfortunately, they are products of divorce. The kind of divorce where Dad hates Mom (my daughter) more than he loves the children. (Child support w-a-y behind also) In spite of pleas, offers to "switch weekends", offers of an extra weekend, visiting for only one of the two nights of the weekend (going to Dad's after the Derby), offers for Dad to attend the Derby, participate and that I would do the driving, were refuted with great hostility. My heart broke as I stood with Todd (10 years old) as he pleaded, cried and begged to participate in the Pinewood Derby. Dad only wanted to punish Mom, claiming last minute (not so) and on and on as he waved his "court orders" like a flag. The two younger children (Tess, 9 and Tanner 6) agreed with Todd, but were fearful of the classically cruel step-mother (if Dad and she were married...simply a live in). But, no one could move the mountain of disagree-ability. When Dad threatened little Todd that he would have me - Meme (may-may) arrested for attempted kidnapping, if he refused to get into his Dad's car and went into mine, Todd reluctantly, miserably agreed to go with Dad. Todd then said, as he hugged and kissed me: "Meme, you are the only one that I trust. I'll see you Sunday."
What I did not mention to Dad, was that I had tickets for RINGLING BROTHERS, BARNUM AND BAILEY CIRCUS immediately after visitation! I am a" Circus Junkie". I have attended Ringling Brothers, Cole Brothers, Wallace Brothers and the Pan Am Circuses since I was the size of a thimble! After I graduated from College, I wanted to attend "Clown College" having been inspired by Bill Balentine's book about the Circus and Clown Alley. My parents were less than enthused. However, my father told my mother to tell me, just last week, that the Circus has a clown shortage and perhaps, I just might consider auditioning. I have a perfect "graduation act" ready, but, I think that the Trio's parents might be on the same page, for once, if we all ran away and joined the Circus.
The trio was returned to me at 4 pm. After extreme hugs, kisses and cheers, we drove to Cincinnati, caught the "Pre-show" of the Circus. The children during the Pre-Show were invited into the center ring to meet the performers, obtain autographs, get up close and personal with the animals. The cast was gracious and radiated warmth implying that they were happy to see us! We, then situated ourselves in the front row with a perfect view of EVERYTHING that was about to unfold!
"LADIES AND GENTLEMEN, CHILDREN OF ALL AGES, WELCOME TO RINGLING BROTHERS, BARNUM AND BAILEY CIRCUS...THE GREATEST SHOW ON EARTH!"
The weekend dissolved into lights, color, music, magic, clowns, acrobats, elephants, big cats. During the Circus Parade, we waved to the elephant riders, horses, dogs, clowns, King Charles Troupe, aerialists, acrobats, animal trainers, dancers. They all smiled and waved back! Todd and a clown had an exchange; a clown flirted with Tess; a third clown hi-fived Tanner! We laughed, sang, stomped, danced, totally immersed ourselves in the joy of the Greatest Show on Earth! "Meme! Look! They are going to shoot someone out of a cannon!" "Meme! Look! How do they go around on that thing and not fall off?" "Meme! Look! That tiger is so big!" And so the amazement continued throughout the "Built to Amaze" edition of the Circus. Dancers were extremely talented, embraced the audience and then broke out into "Gangman Style". Tanner simply got up and pranced along! Popcorn, soda, cotton candy, cool circus hats and ices in elephant mugs added to the uninhibited glee. We hung onto every minute! The entertainment of the Circus is so varied that there is something for everyone to enjoy.
Finally, the performance ended. I could feel tears swelling as the Ringmaster said: "MAY ALL YOUR DAYS BE CIRCUS DAYS!"
As we pulled out of the parking garage at US BANK ARENA, Todd said, "You know, Meme, now the weekend seems so far away from us. The circus makes me happy and makes everything good again." Tess and Tanner, readily agreed. Todd continued: "We can only trust you, and maybe, we should remember and try together that all our days be circus days...just like the Greatest Show on Earth!"
