It's a celebration, it's a celebrationCelebrate good times, come on!
Celebrate good times, come on!
There's a party goin' on right here
A celebration that'll last throughout the year
Shall bring you good times, and good laughter too
We're gonna celebrate your party with you
Come on now
Celebration - we're gonna celebrate and have a good time
Celebration -We're gonna celebrate and have a good time, celebration - we're gonna celebrate and have a good time
It's time to come together
It's up to you, what's your pleasure
Everyone around the world Come on!!
It's a celebration! It's a celebration!
Celebrate good times, come on!
Celebrate good times, come on!
(Julia is the one in the center, with "76" on her shirt)
On Tuesday evening, January 5th, I perched close to the TV to watch the halftime show at the Orange Bowl. Why? Not because I'm a football fan, but because my granddaughter, Julia, was dancing with about 900 others in a circle around Kool and the Gang. Despite the numbers on the field, I had hopes of being able to single her out.
A silly thought, I know, but we grandmothers often are beyond hopeful in our thinking. Especially when it comes to our dear grands. Maybe because it's one of the least complicated relationships in the universe. They are. We love. So simple.
As I sat there, watching the joyous movement, I realized how apropos the song was for the moment. "Celebration" is one of those songs woven into the fabric of my life, so much so that I was sure I had danced to it in the '60's. Apparently not. When I headed to Google, I found this iconic song came out in the '80's, although Kool and the Gang had been around since the late '60's.
Still, what could be more natural in the evolution of life than to see Julia dancing to the song that I'd been dancing to with wild abandonment for close to thirty years? Knowing the child of my child was dancing to "Celebration" with Kool and the Gang live exemplified the continuity of life and perhaps, little hint of immortality for me.
I had hoped she was savoring the moment even more than I was watching it. When I received the picture above, I could see her pleasure in moving to the beat and that was only the rehearsal. Later, my daughter told me the swirl of dancers around the stage was supposed to signify a record spinning. It went far beyond an inanimate object such as that. It was so much more alive and electric.
To Julia, and to all who may read this post, my wishes for your continued "Celebration" of life.
lyrics can be found at http://www.songlyrics.com/.
Love this post! Joyous is the word.
ReplyDeleteJulia is my child and we were there in person to experience this with her. Yet, as always, my dear mom was able to take the experience to a much higher level. I will forever remember Julia's smile and her excitement as she came off the field and back up into the stands. She was still dancing, smiling, and singing, despite the frigid cold temps (the coldest in the 76 year history of the Orange Bowl). She was just one of the 900 who danced and tumbled on national TV and yet she was on top of the world. When I read this blog I cried - as mom was able to capture the same sense of immortality I felt as I watched Julia bound back up into the stands saying, "that was soooo much fun!" Her energy and enthusiasm warmed my heart, even if my entire body was shaking from the cold. It reminded me to try and find the joy in every minute of every day - even when discomfort is the prevailing feeling. And, BTW: everyone was wearing a jersey with a "76" - for the 76th anniversary of the Orange Bowl - and each felt the joy that Mom has captured here. If only we could harness that positive energy - what a joyous world this would be - CELEBRATE GOOD TIMES COME ON!
ReplyDeletePuts me in a party mood. Is there anyone who can't relate to this?
ReplyDeleteNow you have a wonderful connection with your gdaughter ... I bet she doesn't know how really "with it" you are!!! What an experience ... even if it was soooo cold, she never felt it! Helen
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