A Parade for One

Over the years I’ve celebrated the Fourth of July in lots of different ways. When the daughters were little there were gourmet picnics, brilliant fireworks and patriotic sing-alongs.

ELBEE Excuse me. Is a bucket of Colonel Sanders gourmet? And I heard that one of the daughters got so scared at the first burst of fireworks that she ran half way across a golf course screaming. 

Recently, thanks to an old friend, I was reminded of a very special Fourth spent competing at Venice Beach. He sent me a video of a 71 year old female bodybuilder! Was the universe calling to me? Could my glory days of the 80’s be coming back?

ELBEE Judging by her wardrobe, they’ve never left and where does she find these pictures??

I could’t help myself on the photo but I reluctantly came to my senses on the bodybuilding.

The last few years I’ve been in parades. Several teams from the UCLA People Animal Connection took part in the Pacific Palisades celebrations. Walking our dogs past enthusiastic crowds on Sunset Boulevard was so much fun. There was such an atmosphere of unity, joy and patriotism.

 

 

 

 

 

 

It was almost as special as the feeling of flexing in front of a crowd of cheering people at Venice Beach. Just kidding but that video of the 71 year old really got to me.

This year the Fourth was the quietest but most meaningful that l’ve ever spent. The Doods and I went to visit my friend Roberta, the warrior who is still fighting brain cancer. Her accomplishments in education are truly legendary.  Even during her illness, with help from her wonderfully supportive husband Ira, her programs have continued to expand. Thanks to them, many students are now graduating from college and going into law enforcement fields such as forensics and criminology.

Sitting at her beautiful dining room table with the dogs at our feet, we talked and laughed. Despite the physical and emotional roller coaster she’s been on, she wanted to know how I was doing. In a testament to her generous, caring spirit, she asked about my family and encouraged my writing. She truly wants people to know that no matter how she’s feeling, the dogs bring her a measure of peace and comfort.

There were no cheering crowds when we arrived at her house on Wednesday, but when Elbee and Gus walked in, it was a parade for Roberta. Hundreds of people couldn’t have appreciated them more than she did. It was the simplest but most powerful parade that I’ve ever witnessed.