A quickie post while I figure out what poem I’ll post next and where I’ll put it.
My daughter sent me a video I want to share. The title, “Free to Be You and Me,” sounds like a coloring book for a self-esteem presentation. Self esteem presentations make me gag. But I didn’t gag watching this. Mostly I laughed, and when I finished I wanted to dance and did.
Tommy Franklin, the subject of the short film, loves to dance in public spaces. Cynics will call him an attention hound. I call him a really really great dancer who’s spreading joy and kookiness in a world that needs both.
I love his advice to viewers: “If you’re out of your cage, by all means, flap your wings.” If I had a tattoo, that would be it. If you’re out of your cage, by all means, flap your wings!
I relate to this guy in a particular way because when I was in 7th and 8th grade and as odd as odd can be, I used to tap dance on my patrol post in the morning. (Which was, by the way, an entry ramp to the Capital Beltway along a very busy road—no kid would be given this responsibility today.) A classmate’s father later told me that he’d see me on his way to work and it made his day to see me shuffling away on the sidewalk. Yes, I was showing off (albeit in a socially suicidal fashion), but doggone it, I was born to flap my wings.
Here’s the link. Enjoy!
And R.I.P., Mr. Mullholland. That was a beautiful compliment to share, one I’ve held onto all my life. And, er, uh, I take back what I said about self-esteem presentations. The one he gave had me smiling for hours. Years, even.
Great story! I wish we all felt confident enough to dance when the spirit moves us! I am amazed how self conscious people get about dancing even in a situation with a dj and great music. I attended a very tame 50th birthday party last year that was being held in the birthday girl’s back yard – they had a fun dj and no one would dance!! I really wanted to dance so I finally gathered a group of tweens and teens to join me on the patio and requested some fun music that would appeal to them (and me). Now that is an age group I can relate to! I often say that there is not enough dancing!!! Where does one go to dance these days? i guess if you are Tommy Franklin you just hit the streets!
Looking forward to catching you dancing in the grocery store. (I have a thing for tall people dancing.)