I was talking with a friend the other day about the year I dared to go through the Doo Dah Parade route twice.
The first time, I was in the proper place as Runner-Up to the queen. I waved to the crowd and had a fun time. Anything fun, is worth doing again… or is it? After returning to Memorial Park, I met with Miss Viola, Cherry Capri and Count Smokuela, who invited me to join them on another trip down Colorado Boulevard in a Volkswagen convertible. The yellow bug was enticing and, with so many smiles around, how could I say no?
About halfway through the parade route the VW died. It didn’t shake, it didn’t sputter, it didn’t do anything to indicate a problem. It just quietly decided that it was not going to go any further. All of us got out of the car and, because there was no other choice, began pushing it up the street. The driver looked dapper in his Hawaiian shirt, but looks don’t count when you can get your car restarted.
We pushed, and pushed, and pushed that little Bug all the way through the rest of the route – as the crowd on the sidewalks laughed – and around the corner until it could be safely parked.
Is there a moral to this story? Yes! By all means, garner the spot as Queen for the event (like I have) and your feet won’t have to touch the ground nor… god forbid!… will your dress get soiled and your hair mussed. But if you aren’t so lucky, do what you must with a smile.