It's easy for many people to live life like  waffles: Nice little squares that keep the syrup from flowing from one indentation to another: work, church, home, and hobbies all have their place and often, there is little or no crossing over among them.  For me, though, it often doesn't work that way.  My job is that of a middle school teacher, but I am also my students' juggling coach and director.  Our church is a big supporter of our ministry.  Kids I know frm school come by the house just to reconnect.  My life isn't so much a waffle as a casserole.

So this summer, when I led clown camp, it was not out of character to invitr one of the young people to juggle with me in a show.  And it was not uncommon for the show to be part of our church's morning service. Since reopening church after the worst of the pandemic, our Pastor invited me to share a routine each Sunday morning.  Last week I wanted to do an old partner routine I've done with kids - including our own three daughters - but didn't have a current young partner in place.  Then I thought of Jake, a 10 year old who will be starting fifth grade at my school this fall.  He's a talented kid already, and has a natural charisma on stage.  The problem was, though, he had never learned passing with six balls between two partners.  His parents agreed to bring him to the school last Thursday for a practice session.

I was amazing at what a quick study Jake was.  Within half an hour we were not only passing, but he had learned the dramatic components of the routine as well.  We met up early on Sunday to warm up together, but he had the routine down cold.  So, after announcements, Pastor Garrett introduced me, and we began.  The timing was perfect, the humor really connected with the congregation, and the juggling was without a single drop.  

I don't plan on making Jake a regular part of our show.  We had done that early on before we had our own kids, but I have enough ingredients in my casserole for the time being.  But for one Sunday morning, it was good to do an old, old routine with a new partner.