Monday, May 9, 2022
I met Bonnie, I believe, during my sophomore year in high school. Auditions for the chorus were going on and her daughter Ilene was auditioning as well. Of course, we, being a tight-knit group, were all wary of newcomers. Especially newcomers who brought a parent. I am sad to say, we were not overly welcoming, not rude, just not as warm and supportive as we could have been. Life lesson #1 Bonnie taught me. After Ilene started singing, I think we all just knew she would be joining us in show choir, and instead of us walking up to her and telling her how rad she was, we pointed and smiled. Lesson #2 - people you are not particularly warm to upon meeting think that you are making fun of them if you point and smile.
Quickly, we all realized our mistake, because momma hen, Bonnie, was having none of it. She was NYer mad, and if we wanted Ilene to be a part of our group, we better be better. I don't know about anyone else, but I'll never forget those life lessons. I've been friends with Ilene for 30 years.
Love and Light to all.
