The lad and I went to a Retirement Community tonight with his Cub Scout troop. About 15 very elderly people (all in wheelchairs and most carrying oxygen) turned out to hear 7 poorly prepared Cub Scouts sing three Christmas carols. There were numerous problems with this:
First, if you are going to take a group of boys caroling, it is a good idea to find out if the boys know the words to any carols in advance. Sheet music does not really work for your standard 6 year old.
Second, practicing, even once, is strongly advised.
Third, make sure the boys are not scared out of their gourds by strange, elderly people in wheelchairs.
Yes, there was awkwardness all around, as I basically sang three solos while 7 small 'uns stared into space.
To make matters worse, I am not better with dealing with the elderly than the boys. I think it is one of the major failings of my personality. Disease and infirmary do not bother me. Blood, guts, fascinating skin diseases, and whatever other symptoms someone might have do not phase me. Death, Death phases me. Put me in a room of people who can't walk just because they lived longer than their body expected to and I feel Death giggling at me in the corner. My extreme fear of death kicks in and I want to flee to a McDonald's playground, where everything is young and happy and clueless.
