In the White County newspaper, a regular feature is “The Dixie Diva.” Ronda Rich is a writer who I met at a women’s retreat several years ago. I was so impressed with her honesty and gentle humor for the South and the people who live here. I try to find her articles whenever the paper is left on the table at Mom and Dad’s house.
Last Thursday’s article hit a perfect homerun for me. She titled it “Balcony people” and the first paragraph states: “From the beginning, I’ve been grateful for those who showed me a kindness or encouragement. Particularly during my most impressionable years.” She then talks about her childhood and all those people who were her “balcony people,” the ones she says, “stood either momentarily or at length, in the balcony of my life and cheered me on.”
She continues, ”Mama and Daddy were always in my balcony, but there were times when people who knew different stuff than they knew, stuff like journalism and car racing, stepped in front of them for a moment to whisper a word of instruction or praise. It all combined to take me down through the journey of life.”
Her article made me think of all the balcony people in my life. Mom was always in the front of that balcony – cheering me on and scolding me when I needed it. Dad was there, too, as a balance to Mom, and he tried to keep me modest and focused. In those difficult middle years, I had amazing musicians who taught me – Ruth George, Catherine Logan, and Earlene Rentz – who pushed me to perform and accompany. Bob Congdon, my junior high principal, believed in me so much that he gave me extra responsibilities to keep me out of trouble.
As a young adult, I had so many who invested time and energy into my life. Dennis Hooper spent hours and hours helping me to understand my temperament and how God created me to be uniquely me. Michael and I have had so many precious friends who cheered us on as a couple and, later, as parents. I have been blessed with dozens of good friends who have “stood either momentarily or at length, in the balcony of my life and cheered me on.”
In the last ten years, I have felt the call more than ever to be in the balcony for those around me. I am in a wonderful place with my students and colleagues to be the encourager. While Mondays with Mom has been way to love on Mom, it’s also been a chance to cheer on those who are caregiving for others.
I expect to pass through this world but once. Any good, therefore, that I can do or any kindness I can show to any fellow creature, let me do it now. Let me not defer or neglect it for I shall not pass this way again. (Attributed to Stephen Grellet)
