Monday, September 15, 2008

BLESSED

Before I gloat about being 90% moved into my new apartment and how great it was to sleep in my own bed last night and then walk to work today, and before I talk about SNL even though everyone else already has but SNL is my show so I'm going to talk about it anyway, I have to tell you this story. So check back later for the other stuff.

I was in Wal Mart on Saturday buying a few groceries and other stuff for the apartment. Of course Wal Mart was crowded because it's Wal Mart and therefore always crowded. I had everything I needed, so I was leaving the produce section and heading toward the check out when I heard Hank Williams's "Jambalaya" over the loudspeaker, accompanied by some poor, warbled singing. Had someone hijacked the loudspeaker? Weird.

I got to the check out, waited my turn and was unloading my groceries when I heard the song again, a lot louder this time. And then I saw him.

He was probably 90 years old and dressed from head to toe in baby blue. He was pushing a shopping cart with one hand, and with the other, was holding a tape deck to his ear. "Jambalaya" was playing as loudly as the old tape deck could go and his strained but clear voice singing was even louder. He was strutting back and forth in front of the cash registers, from one side of the store to the other, singing his heart out. As his audience would smile, he'd pause and do a little dance for them, grinning, singing, bright eyes shining, and then shuffle onward, tape blaring, voice warbling.

I've met a lot of cool people in this town with a lot of cool jobs, but none that I have envied more than his. When I grow old and perhaps slightly senile, someone please give me a tape deck and a shopping cart and turn me loose in Wal Mart.

1 comment:

  1. I want that job, but I will ride on the motorized cart instead!

    ReplyDelete

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