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Today something mutual happened. Something that happens two or three times each weekend day in two or three cities around the United States each week. Today something mutual happened. Something that I had never thought of before, never in truth noticed before. Today something mutual happened and I at last noticed. Today I took my family to the Ringling Brothers and Barnum Bailey Circus in Orlando, Florida. We strolled amidst the animal enclosures admiring Asian elephants and various assortment of tigers. We stood in awe of beautifully groomed horses and somewhat obstinate zebras. As the animals were prepared for their portion in the show the persons were herded towards the arena. There circus performers of each type mingled with the audience giving autographs, posing for photographs, smiling and waving. This was each day Americana. When the lights were dimmed and every one found their seats was when that something happened. One of the top ringmasters in the world, Tom McFarland, officiated. Tom McFarland is a ringmaster extraordinaire. He has the presence of the most highly remunerated motivational speakers in the world. When he enters the arena, you may almost see P. T. Barnum himself standing before crowds ushering them into the biggest show on Earth. Mr. McFarland’s singing voice is a rich baritone, but when he walked out he was not singing. He walked out humbly in spite of his grand and sequenced ringmaster’s uniform. Like the General he is (at least at the circus) Tom McFarland strode out in a single white spotlight. On the huge television screen appeared, the Ringling Brothers “We Support Our Troops” ribbon. The audience was hushed as a modest ringmaster stood and declared that he would like to thank the troops, those serving in alien lands, those serving here at home and those in the Orlando audience. Mr. McFarland stated that he had served his country proudly for 12 years in the United States Army and wanted to invite one of his co-performers, a former Air Force Reservist to come forth. Without fanfare the curtains parted and hoof beats could be heard. Like the Calvary of old, the single rider, galloped into the arena carrying our nation’s flag. She stood erect in the stirrups as her steed stopped and Mr. McFarland extended a hand. He invited the audience to rise and join him in the National Anthem. This is a scene not not common in American sports; a lone singer invites an audience to stand and for a moment we are all joined in aid of our nation, our neighbors and our troops. But today was in some manner different. As the words started out to ring all over the arena, little children started out to sing at the top of their lungs. Heard even above the amplified voice of Mr. McFarland and the brass of the band who accompanied him, little children sang: “Oh say may you see by the dawn’s early light. What so proudly we hail at the twilight’s last gleaming…” In all my respective professional roles, I have learned to refrain from aroused displays, but tears streamed down my face as my voice joined the voices of hundreds of persons saluting our nation and those 3,000 plus who have given their life for it in just the recent years. Today, something finelooking happened and in words of the ending song to the Ringling Brothers and Barnum Bailey’s Greatest Show on Earth, “Anything is possible.” Most helpful customer reviews 10 of 10 people found the following review helpful. 5 of 6 people found the following review helpful. 1 of 1 people found the following review helpful. |
If you could only afford one CD get this one.
Disappointing