A Surprise

Roger the Jester turns 37 this year. That’s right, I’m still working on it.

Recent experiences have confirmed my solid belief in the importance and longevity of my work.

While in Antigua this winter, I had the opportunity to revisit a 81 year old Antiguan woman who is an old friend of my wife's family. Two years ago, I had done a 79^th birthday performette, a small and intimate performance for her, her grand daughter, a caregiver and a neighbor, as well as my wife and mother-in-law, an audience of six. One of the things I did was to transform a paper napkin into a rose, a sort of origami manipulation.

I was not going to be on island for her birthday this year, so decided to visit her on Valentine’s Day. When I arrived, she was sitting out on her porch. After greeting her, and deciding to do my thing inside, where I had previously, she told me she had a surprise for me!! I was simply stunned when she produced that paper rose, that she has guarded dearly for the last two years!! It was a little tired looking, but a couple of twists and pinches spruced it right up.

Little did I realize, two years previously, what an impact and effect that simple little trick would have on this woman’s day to day life. Her caregiver said that she daily admires it and charges everyone to treat it with care and respect.

Now, I don’t make roses for everyone I perform for, yet I do believe that I do leave them with a memory, an imprint of laughter and light, that lasts a very long time. Makes me wonder, how many other roses are still out there?

Not only did I make her another white one, but my mother in law came up with a red napkin, and I made Dora three more valentine roses for her birthday.