
Friday March 31st 2023 we scored box seats to see the University of Wisconsin – Green Bay, Manitowoc Campus Lakeshore Big Band perform. (Try rolling that band name off twice in a row – geesh. The full formal name somehow rolls in that the foundation is the sponsor as well, making it even longer.)
I’d played baritone saxophone with the group for over 15 years before taking a hiatus a bit before the virus.
The group put on a highly credible concert featuring a very talented guest lady singer.
What harshly struck me was how many members were not there, having passed on mostly. Ouch! Subtract some whose employment or retirement facilitate moving away, and the turnover is pretty massive.
A couple of players took to the stage with the old-man shuffle, the small steps the elderly adopt to reduce falls. One old buddy was wheeled out in a wheelchair and used a walker to get himself situated on the low risers.
Audience headcount was down. Again a lot of regulars have died, some I knew had ended up in care homes, a couple that I was quite surprised were not there I learned were quite ill.
Some stalwarts that were there told us they were moving to assisted living in the next few weeks.
Ran into a former trumpeter who explained that he was on the audience rather than playing because they were away snowbirding and has just returned.
Earlier in the day I’d shook the hand of a friend as he left our work for the last time as a worker, as it was his retirement day.
At his party I was surprised how many times I was asked when I would be retiring.
I hope those inquiries were less about my overstaying my usefulness, and more curiosity!
But what you see and what questions people ask do affect your thoughts.
Writing this the next morning, I’m feeling like I stayed up all night painting the town red, when the only actual adventure was the drive home in heavy pouring rain, underscores how things have changed, and some answers for self are needed.
I have a series of draft articles about this life inflection point which one finished up, will be posted as a series.
73
Steve
K9ZW



