For 20 years, I have been teaching teens and preteens the arts of juggling, illusion, and teaching the Gospel through the performing arts.  This year we have my smallest team ever, only eight kids.  But what they lack in number they make up for in enthusiasm and skill.  Recently we had a show at Riverview Psychiatric Hospital in Augusta.  We do this every year, and these shows are set up through the hospital chaplain, and my very good friend James Wethersbee.  Chaplain James is a big man with a very big, welcoming personality.  I think every student who has ever met him has liked him right away.  He has also been a good resource over the years as I have called him for input on behavioral or emotional issues students have wrestled with over my years of teaching.  Between his experience as chaplain at the hospital, and his wife who is a psychiatrist, they have a lot of wisdom and insight.

Anyway, I arrived with the students with plenty of time to set up, and we were ready as the patients arrived, and the kids energy was palpable.  The kids stepped it up right from the start as we opened with a routine where each student was introduced individually and they came forward and juggled.  While the same music played, we continued by introducing the rest of the team: a rabbit, two doves, and Elijah's bantam chicken.  The audience loved it.

The show moved along form there with Brianna and I doing a mime / juggling partner routine, Cailyn doing a cleverly choreographed juggling, dance, mime routine, Gideon playing two violin solos and much more.  After the 45 minute gig, the kids met and talked with the patients, showed off the animals, and enjoyed punch, cheese and crackers.