I was asked by my friends at the George Taylor House to entertain a group of kids from the Catasauqua YMCA summer camp on the lawn at the site. A mix of ages, with some of the younger ones asking questions in the middle of songs, politely raising their hands. You can’t discount curiosity. Several kids knew me from a gig I had at the town pool last year so we felt right at home.
There was one boy who clung to one of the counselors, burst into tears when he was late to pick up an instrument and was pretty hot and cold emotionally. Having just played for kids with cancer, I reined myself in and tried not to prejudge him, thinking, upon reflection, that he may be having a tough time at home, for whatever reason. I have to watch myself sometimes.
It was a nice, small gig in the middle of the summer. All in all, just fine in my book.