The Circus Before the Circus

The priests were scheduled to go to the circus Sunday morning at 11:30. I had 11 retired priests and 9 priests in training (novices) signed up to go.

All was set...

I wasn't attending, but felt confident in the 9 young men in charge. Detailed instructions were given.

Sunday, 10 a.m.....

I was getting ready for Johnny's football banquet.

The phone rings and mass chaos begins.

The man who brought over the novices (the novice master) was on the phone.

I couldn't quite get all of what he was babbling about. The words, “MASS CHAOS” were echoing in the earpiece. 

I assured him all would go fine.

I get to the banquet and the phone rings during the coaches speech. I slip through the tables to get to the lobby. 

“Hello?” I whisper...

“THE MEN AREN'T ALL HERE! IS THERE A NURSE GOING? THERE'S ALWAYS A NURSE GOING! THIS IS MASS CHAOS!”

I assured him of the fine medical team the All State Arena provided in case of an emergency.

I go back to my table.

10 minutes later my phone rings again. I slip back out to the lobby.

“Hello?” I whisper...

“DO YOU HAVE A LIST OF WHO'S GOING? OUR DRIVER ISN'T HERE! THIS IS MASS CHAOS! THE MEN ARE CONFUSED ON THE DAY! THIS IS MASS CHAOS!”

“Aren't there 9 men who have a drivers license? Can one of you step up and drive? The men are always confused. You need to direct them to the front door. I gave you a list of the attendees.”

I go back to my seat....

10 minutes go by...

My phone rings again...John whispers, “Just go over there.” I whisper back, “I am not going to miss Johnny getting his award.

I run out to the lobby..

“Hello?” I whisper..

“THIS EVENT WASN'T PUT TOGETHER WELL AT ALL! THIS IS MASS CHAOS! WHO'S GOING TO TOILET THESE MEN? THIS IS MASS CHAOS!”

“Well, since I am not allowed in the Men's restroom, I am assuming one of the 9 men I sent to take the residents to the circus can help a resident to the toilet.”

I can feel my self starting to cry...

“My son is getting an award right now so I can't come over and help you. You need to get the men in the van and get to the circus! The only way I could have avoided the driver not showing up is by sleeping over at his apartment and holding his hand over to the residency. Deal with it!”

DISASTER....my first event...

I e-mailed my boss. I told her about the mass chaos.

I came to work today, ready for a tongue lashing...

When I walked in the door I had residents telling me how wonderful the circus was. “When is the next event Bridgette?!” “Can we go to Disney on Ice? I have a flyer for you!” “I felt like I was flying high when I got home! The show was incredible!”

“Phew”....then, I saw the novice master...

“Bridgette, the event was a complete disaster, but I don't want you to feel bad about it.”

Gee...oh..thanks...

“Let's meet tomorrow to go over what you could have done different to avoid the problems we went through.”

Oh..sure..that's a good idea...

I see my boss.

She said, “Bridgette, I want you to know you made the resident's day on Sunday. They can't stop talking about the circus. Oh, I heard about the novice master. I was told he was dropping the F bomb left and right while he was trying to gather the men together for the event. I heard he called you 4 times and was out of control. He will be reprimanded for that. I'm sorry you had to go through that. You did a great job.”

Yep.. a happy ending : )

I went to 'Observation Day' for Hannah's ballet class. Here is a short video of her and a few pictures.