Monday, June 22, 2015

ME and 90 Year Old Teenagers

"The soul that's born in the body remains the same. It's the body that changes. That's why 90 year olds act like teenagers."

George Harrison said that.

Going to the Nursing Home on Thursdays to do a concert makes me understand the truth of his words.

All these young souls in old bodies walk, roll or are carried out and as we play ... they come to life ... as teenagers.

They smile, sing along, sometimes dance and love the "naughty" songs.

"Jesus loves me", "Unclouded Day" and "Will the Circle be Unbroken" are sing along songs ... because that's what we're expected to sing ... and they play the part as long as security watches ... meaning ... the Nurses and Aids are overseeing.

Once the Nurses and the Aids see the inmates are doing fine ... they take off for the water cooler ... or the coffee break ... or time alone ... or romance in a closet.

The inmates brighten up.

I play Lyle Lovett's "If I had a Boat" and every one of those 90 year old teenagers grin and wait for these lines.

The mystery masked man was smart he got himself a Tonto
Cause Tonto did the dirty work for free
But Tonto he was smarter and one said Kemo Sambie
Kiss my ass I bought a boat, I'm going out to sea

They laugh and clap and sing and smile and feel as they're getting away with something again.

It fills my soul with joy.

"How many of y'all got caught last night?" I ask.

Several raise their hand and I laugh like crazy at who it is.

"Y'all ready to break out?"

They're all ready.

We play "Dead Skunk in the middle of the road" which is about a Skunk getting killed and the 90 year old teenagers who are all preparing to die laugh and sing along.

Then the Nurses and Aids return to roll or walk the inmates back inside for medicine, therapy, snacks, naps or to smoke outside and we all break into ... "What a friend you have in Jesus."

The Nurses and Aids are satisfied at our ministry to the Nursing Home residents and ask if we're coming back next week ... then they ask if I'll stop by the Director's office on the way out.

The Director is a twelve year old wearing his father's hand me down suit.

"We really appreciate you coming here," he squeaks in his twelve year old voice, "but you can't post any of this on Facebook. It's against HIPPA requirements."

"I have no idea what you're talking about,"  I reply. "We didn't do it."

"Thanks for understanding," he squeaks.

Strolling out of "The Principal's Office", several 90 year old teenagers give me the eye and I nod with my eyes and smile and they smile back and nod their eyes.

For a little while anyway ... we held hands and shared our hearts together ... "Kiss my ass I bought a boat, I'm going out to sea."

God I love these kids.

They keep me young.