The duo called Where’s The Sheep?, a conduit for praise,
worship, and inspirational songs, successfully launched their album last
weekend (Friday at Eastwood Mall and Sunday at the Venice Piazza at McKinley
Hill). I attended last Sunday’s album launch with Pipo and Sophie and was inspired, touched, and blessed by their
music. I didicate this post to the singer of the duo, Mike, whom I
regard as an anak and a dear, dear friend. (Incidentally, I use didicate
because he slipped during his pronunciation of the word ‘dedicate’ during one
of his spiels at the album launch. We all screamed with laughter, but
really, it just added to his boyish charm.)
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| Taken about two years ago, during a poolside master class ;-) |
1. I meet Mike, a young, chubby adolescent boy who insists
on joining our church youth group even before reaching the minimum age requirement of 13. (I believe he was eleven at the time.) He is fair,
chinky eyed, and chubby, and the earnestness and dedication he shows towards the
group is touching. We pinch his cheeks, tickle him, and call him “Bee” (short for Big Mac, also the name of our friends' cute and chubby dog). As a response to our assaults, Mike would softly squeal, smile with his eyes squinting, and
shift to his side.
“Leave my lamb alone!” His shepherd orders us. (In our community,
newbies are called lambs, and are placed under the guidance of a shepherd). Needless to say, we ignore the shepherd and the
pinching, tickling, and consequent squealing continue over the next few years.
2. I am tasked to direct a play for our church community,
which would allow children with disabilities and mainstream children to
interact and become friends. I choose to do a re-imagining of the fairytale
Snow White and the Seven Dwarves. In a fit of inspiration, I cast him as a
flying kiss fairy, one who hops and leaps and squeals, and serves as the bridge
between Snow White and her prince. I also have him double up as a bumblebee,
and ask him to wear a midriff top, shorts, and tutu skirt all painted black and
yellow. He is hesitant, but agrees. He is a hit, and good-naturedly handles all
the teasing that ensue due to his, um, interesting attire.
