How excited was I to find out Freddie and Mom had free tickets for us! I couldn't wait to share the magic with Anna Claire. I knew she would love it. I also expected her to want everything. I was right on both counts. ;)
I wish Larry could have gone, but having just returned from our vacation and coming to an empty fridge, he opted to get us stocked up for the week while I took AC.
That left me with an extra ticket. I prayed God would show me who to give it to. Someone who needed it. We got to Municipal and I zeroed in on a lady in line for tickets with 5 kids. She was the one. She refused at first explaining she didn't have any money to give me. I told her I didn't want money, that it was free to me and for her to just pay it forward. I think I saw a tear in her eye. God bless her inside because shit was crazy-expensive.
Highlights of the big show? The "princesses" and their costumes (trapeze artists), tigers, elephants, clowns, and the motorcycles on the tightrope were Anna Claire's faves.
At intermission, they offered pony rides, inflatables, face painting and more for a price. We went for the pony ride and tried inflatables, but there were too many big kids being rough so we asked for a refund.
Anna Claire really wanted a butterfly glow stick more than anything. I could see how much she wanted one and many of the other children had glow sticks. I bought it, despite the price tag and had one very happy little girl. She loves is so much. It also plays music.
As we were leaving, Anna Claire pointed to the clowns handing out Shrine Circus coloring books, and said, "I want one those, Mommy!" So of course we got one.
I thought to myself at that point, "What would Larry do?" He would wait until the crowd dissipated to even attempt to go to our parking garage. So, I asked AC if she'd like to sit on the steps outside Municipal. This allowed her to people watch and munch popcorn, so she was a happy camper.
After about 10 minutes or so she handed me her popcorn and said, "I don't want anymore Mommy." Then about 100 yards away I saw a couple of homeless men sitting on a bench. I said, "Hey, why don't you take those men the rest of your popcorn." "Yeah! They might be hungry!"
She took it over to them. They looked at her and their eyes lit up. They said, "Thank you!" and then I have never seen anyone inhale popcorn quite so fast in my life. Bless their hearts.
The rest of the way to the parking garage I answered questions about homelessness:
Mommy, why they sit on that bench?
They sit there for long time?
They don't have food Mommy? Why not?
Where they live?
Why don't they have a house?
Where they sleep?
I love Shrine Circus, and even more than that I love opportunities to teach my little girl how to show love to others.
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| Clown attempted to give Anna Claire a hug, but she run away. |
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| Then she turned around and gave him this big smile. |
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| Pony ride! |
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| The ever-important butterfly glow stick. |
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