Bruce Springsteen of the Senior Set...

See the guy with the guitar? Yes, I know it's not me, but it might as well be. See the old people? That's pretty much the reception I got when I'd show up to perform. In fact, this group is a bit more animated than most. As I explained in my last post, I had been laid off from my job (doesn't that sound better than "fired"? It's one of my favorite euphemisms) and had found solace and purpose in performing for the old folks. When I was young (I was young?) I always dreamed about doing something creative for a living. My parents weren't particularly supportive of that notion. They thought being somewhat creative was okay, but that musicians are a bunch of junkies and drunks and a nice Jewish boy should be a doctor, lawyer or accountant. So I spent the next 20 years or so proving to them that you don't have to be a musician to be a junkie or a drunk. It took me years of therapy to work all this stuff out. I'm still not finished. I've put a couple of shrinks' kids through college. But I digress. When I was let go (from a job that I loathed) I had the opportunity to pursue other things that I was more passionate about. My son-in-law (hi, Yehuda) works in one of three nursing homes that are owned by his family, and an old acquaintance from camp knew that I sang and, unbeknownst to me, owned seven, count 'em, seven nursing homes. He set me up with his recreational therapy directors (thanks, Moish!) and when he talks, they listen! Soon I had almost more work than I could handle. Ultimately I was very happy with the way my work situation was resolved; I was making less money but enjoying bringing at least a little joy to people who didn't usually have much joy in their lives. If I got just a few of them to smile or clap along or respond in any way, it was worth it. And I did. I thanked G-d for helping me find fulfillment that came with a bit of an income and felt more content than I had in years. Then I was hit by the Pneumonia Bus.