This afternoon I did a 45 minute show at Mineral Springs Estate, one of the nicest senior housing complexes I’ve ever seen. It is not a nursing home, although I think it has a nursing home wing. Many of the residents were ambulatory and mentally alert, though, as most of the facility is for folks who need assisted care but not nursing care.
The facility is beautiful, with a large lobby and a grand staircase as you walk in. I performed in the courtyard. It’s actually indoors, but has the feel of a courtyard with high ceilings, benches and tables and lots of open space.
I wish I could say it was a good show, but my juggling was poor right from the start. My three ball multiplex opening throw was out of control, and I had to retrieve a lost ball before I even started to juggle! I dropped several times in “When the Saints Go Marching In”,, my opening three ball routine, including my closing trick, a scissors jump over a bouncing ball into the (normally) final catch of the routine. After this my routines got better, but there were still plenty of careless mistakes that seemed to reflect being tired on this my last day of spring break. One up side was a flawless performance of “Hallelujah”, a double balance board / numbers routine.
The audience was appreciative nonetheless, and one lady asked for my card, telling me how much she enjoyed the show. This makes it all worthwhile. Another said with a giggle, “We liked your tricks, but we probably won’t remember them for very long.” Dementia humor: gotta respect that. Perhaps they have forgotten my mistakes already, too.
Why, after decades of performing, do I still get so down after a bad show? That’s just how I’m wired, I guess. That’s also how I avoid a second bad show…After a bad show, I strive to work harder, concentrate more, and do better the next time. All that said, though, I need to remember that it’s not about ME. It’s about lifting up the name of Jesus. I guess one thing I can say is, as rough as my juggling was today, I kept a positive attitude during the show. I suppose (and hope) that in itself can glorify God.