This year, my middle school neverthriving of jugglers (yes, that is what a group of jugglers is called) is made up of only ten students, and, not only that, seven are new to LOL this year.  So, in typical form, I was certain they were not ready for their first show of the year when we headed for Portland, Maine's Barron Center nursing home last week.  But, like usual, the team surprised me with a fine start to the year.  Not only was the show very good for a first one with a mostly rookie team, but they did an excellent job setting up the show, which is no small chore.

Elsa was amazing juggling three basketballs on a ripstick in our opening routine, as was Lana, who juggled three balls (something she couldn't do a month prior) then making one vanish.  Toby, one of my returning three jugglers, was terrific as always with juggling and acting, and Clare, another new juggler, also did great.  The three new boys on the team - Lucas, Alex and Eamon - have all become quite accomplished with diabolos as well. There was a little trouble getting started with the skit "Me", but we quickly regrouped and it was perfect,  

The thing that makes this show something we'll never forget, though, is that when we arrived, a resident had just passed away.  In fact, many of the kids saw the gurney as it was being wheeled down the hall as we were bringing in our props.  The kids were remarkably mature about the whole thing, and we even had to delay the start of the show by half an hour.  There was absolutely no whining or complaining; they sat and talked quietly in the rec room until the audience finally arrived and we could start.

The highlight of these shows is always when the kids go out into the audience and talk and pray with the residents afterwards, and this was especailly true that morning.  After such a sad start to the day at Barron Center, the kids were able to bring smiles, prayers, compassion and hope to the appreciative group of senior citizens.