"I Like Happy Dancin'!"

I had a great conversation with my buddy Melvin Stanforth (arteest extraordinare!) this morning. He has an art show of his work that has been traveling about the state this year and I'm so proud of him I could POP!
Anyway, we were re-living some memories about the opening of the show that took place at the Rocky Mount Arts Center (stunning place!) several months ago. Wayne, Frieda and I attended and it was a totally perfect evening. The title of the show is "Reunion-These Folks Ain't Company." It was really funny how even at the show, there was the feeling of a real reunion...especially in terms of "there's always someone who makes the whole event completely hysterical." That someone for Wayne, Frieda and me was a gentleman called Charles Raynor. We met Charles in the parking lot and of course, Frieda and I struck up a conversation. That turned into Charles being our companion for the evening...and in this post, you'll see how this 60-something man we didn't even know touched our lives forever. He's a rather fussy fellow, but a total comedian. He had us in stitches immediately.
We had a big reunion style dinner, which by the way, Frieda swore was THE best chicken she had ever eaten.
After dinner, a dance troupe had choreographed a routine and everyone was to assemble in the auditorium to see the "Homage to Mel." CharlesRaynor (he said it all in one word) followed dutifully behind Wayne, Frieda and me. Mr. Raynor had already made it quite clear that he did NOT like interpretive dance, as he didn't "understand it." I could feel it in my bones that getting through the homage was going to be difficult. As we entered the auditorium, I elected to stand. I KNEW there was going to be trouble and if Mel Stanforth heard it coming from ME and my crowd, he'd KILL me! The routine started, it was as you would expect any presentation of the art of interpretive dance to be. I was doing ok. I had steeled my jaw. I had bit a hole nearly into my lip and was mostly ignoring the whispering comments of Mr. Raynor. Frieda was right over my left shoulder. Wayne, on the other hand had elected to sit down, so he was hearing NONE of the mumblings going on. At one point, I had actually turned my face into the curtain, as I could feel what we all know as "INAPPROPRIATE LAUGHTER" rising from the depths of my stomach. We've all been there and you know exactly what I'm saying. In the moments that we MOST need to be well-behaved, there is always SOMEONE willing to envelop you into a situation that you're desperately trying not to be involved in. CharlesRaynor was that someone on this night. Frieda and I were containing ourselves fairly well. I had even taken a deep breath and thought, "Whew. I can get through this" when "the statement that rocked my world" occured.
In the pitch black darkness came a voice in my ear. I had no defense. I had no way of knowing it was coming, but there it was. CharlesRaynor whispered, "I like happy dancin'." In a nanosecond, I was completely overcome! I literally ran out of the auditorium and directly to the ladies room, praying I would "make it!" I did make it and in that rest room, I was completely disjointed with laughter! Tears were pouring down my face and I was praying with all my might that no one would come in and see me in that condition. Each time I thought I had composed myself, the laughter returned and there was no stopping it. I could still hear "that voice" making "that statement." I thought I had recovered and left the rest room. I went to the dinner area and though I DETEST black coffee, that is all that was available. I was SURE that would change my focus, but, nope. There I sat. Alone. Black coffee in my hand. Laughing. All by myself. People were looking at me. I wasn't even embarrassed! Yet, I was totally embarrassed! Pretty soon, out comes CharlesRaynor and Frieda. Apparently, they couldn't contain themselves any longer either. We all sat together, two friends and one total stranger, laughing until our sides ached...at four seemingly harmless words. Wayne watched the remainder of the show alone and came out when the homage was finished. He missed the joke, but he was able to tell us about what we had missed. I know the troupe worked hard on the "Homage to Mel." I know they rehearsed and labored for a very long time to present themselves flawlessly.
What a shame. In a fleeting moment, a stranger who touched our lives profoundly FOREVER by the name of CHARLESRAYNOR, upstaged them in one failed swoop with one little comment...."I LIKE HAPPY DANCIN!"
We like HAPPY DANCIN' too CharlesRaynor and we will love you forever for one of the most hysterical memories of my life! Till the end of my days, that evening will be etched into my brain.
Thank you Mel for allowing us to be a part of your celebration.
And thank YOU CharlesRaynor for crossing our paths in such a beautiful way!
Yes, indeed, my friend....we too like HAPPY DANCIN!"
"Reunion-These Folks Ain't Company."
Ain't it the truth, Mel? Ain't it the truth!
PS:
Since we all know or have in our family a "CharlesRaynor" of our very own, Mel and I discussed things that folks of that mindset say...and can get by with. While I was feeding the donkeys, goats, dogs and giving Buckwheat his bottle this morning, I was laughing out loud again and thinking of things I'm sure CharlesRaynor has come up with at his own family reunions. Here are some of those imaginings:
* "Don't Aunt (pronounced "ain't) Nelda look good since she finally got her upper plate?"
* "Did you see what Luola wore today? Looks like a dog bed to me."
* "I tasted of your mama's green beans. Since she got that high cholesterol, she quit using fat meat in 'em and they ain't near as good. She just cain't cook no more."
And last but not least...
* "My Lord, did you see Judy and Paul's baby? It's about the ugliest baby I've ever seen, BLESS ITS HEART, but Lord, don't tell 'em I said nothing. It cain't help it if it's kin to them Lawson's."
ENJOY!!! And remember those comedians in our lives that make everything just a little more memorable!

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