Early Evening Fever

Generosity comes in a variety of forms. And sometimes generous gestures make all the difference in someone's day. No matter how many they have left.

Now that my mother has decided to live a while longer, she seems to be staying busy by participating in a variety of events in her retirement home. She called me late yesterday afternoon to say that she was attending a party where there would be dancing and she wanted to know if Parker would like to attend the party and dance with her. Well now, sure. What adorable, nearly 21-year old, wouldn’t love to go hang out at the Octogenarian Ball with his grandmother?

First and foremost on Parker’s mind these days is not, honestly, his grandmother but his upcoming birthday celebration in Las Vegas. He and his friends, Jesse and Taylor, purchased airline tickets and have big plans for making his 21st memorable. They seem to be imagining it as The Hangover although I sort of think it might really end up being more Three Amigos. Regardless, they are psyched. I hear about all kinds of plans to walk the strip decked out in suits, reveling and celebrating and attracting throngs of women who will find their charm irresistable. So, when my mother asked for an escort to the ball, I suggested the three of them go and practice their women wooing skills. Now, granted, the women to woo at this party were in their 80s and 90s but there was the added incentive of University of Denver sorority sisters who were also scheduled to attend. Apparently old people are considered a sorority and fraternity ‘service project.’ Nice.

I fully expected the boys to say no to going but, instead, they asked what time the party started, got dressed up, and set off to wow the masses by busting out their dance moves. I suspect the prospect of sorority girls influenced their decision somewhat but as it turned out, there were only two sorority sisters in attendance. And neither seemed terribly invested in the dance. Or the residents. Or the boys. They arrived late, left early and apparently had no intention of dancing with anyone. So much for the service project. The boys were greatly underwhelmed by the sisters but forged ahead to do what they went there to do….get jiggy!

Wit’ 80-year olds.

Arguably three of the most adorable young men around, Jesse, Taylor, and Parker are accustomed to a fair amount of female attention so it was a little shocking when, at first, they faced repeated rejection from a less than appreciative audience. Several women said no to their dance invitations. A crushing blow, no doubt. Some women refused to dance by telling the boys they were married. Hopes dashed again. One woman exclaimed, rather indignantly, that she was 100-years old. To which Parker responded, “Then let’s celebrate by dancing!” She refused in a huff. But eventually they found some takers, including my mother, who took full advantage and danced as often as they could manage. One woman even wanted Jesse’s phone number. For her granddaughters, she said. Sorority sisters and grumpy old women aside, there were plenty of opportunities to dance the night away.

Well, at least until the party ended at 8:30.

The boys came home happy and smiling. No grumbling, no complaining, just joyful spirits having done something out of the ordinary. I’m pretty sure they could have found a million other things to do on a Wednesday evening than hang out with the elderly. But they didn’t. They came home and regaled us with stories about the inebriated geezer in a Hawaiian shirt who didn’t speak but just went up to women and thrust his thumb at the dance floor by way of request. Charming. And the 90-year old couple who didn’t dance because they were mackin’ in the corner, too busy to come up for air. A room, maybe?

If I listen to the news today I’m sure to hear stories of people who lack generosity. People who believe their opinion or way of viewing a situation is the only correct one. People tossing unkind generalizations around like a beach ball, unconcerned with the consequences of where their words will land. People unwilling to put aside their own wants for the sake of another.

But I don’t think I’ll listen to the news today. I think, instead, I’ll replay the images of three charming young men, full of life, and joy, and immense generosity. Three young men who infused a couple of hours of life to those with little of it left.

Gracious. Generous. Giving.

Lock up your grannies, Las Vegas. These boys are on the make!