So yesterday was the gay and lesbian PRIDE parade in Dallas. Usually I am a bystander at this event, but this year, thanks to the wonderful Blyss, I was invited to represent the Women’s Chorus of Dallas IN the event. Due to the constant trickle (and more) of rain, I think it was better to be riding in the parade than standing on the sides to watch. Of course the rain did not prevent us from putting the top down….we just figured the people in the car would keep the inside from getting too wet. I think for the most part this tactic worked… (I for one was soaked).

There is something both silly and marvelous about a parade. Think about it. Groups of people get together and agree to stand on the side of the street, while other groups of people get together and agree to drive down the center, some with decorations, some with cheap giveaways, but none are really all that important and most are just common people who happen to be in the center of the street. That is when the miraculous happens…both groups start to trade and share waves and smiles and knowing glances, behaving as if we were all really excited to see one another and feeling some sort of connection just because we are there and participating with one another in this odd prearranged formation. Something about that is simple and beautiful.

And like in most parades the people in the center yesterday agreed to throw cheap baubles into the crowd, which, for the honor of catching, the crowd agreed to make noise, smile, attempt to be noticed and cheer and shout loudly. However, unlike most other parades…in this auspicious group the crowd also expressed their desire to share in a wholly giving fashion by throwing jello shots INTO the passing parade cars to reward and support those people who just happened to be in the center. I mean when you really stop to think about it, it is pretty amazing all this open sharing, camaraderie and overt expressions of connectedness and simple friendliness between complete strangers.

Think about how different it is from your daily commute. Instead of “hey get out of my way asshole” “watch where you are going” “ever heard of a blinker you jerk” it is “Hi, good to see you” “Hey, let me share these simple treasures with you” “thanks for being here” and “isn’t this fun?”

You should have seen the people during morning rush-hour on 75 central today as I continued my new found ‘parade-style celebration’ and smiled and waved and expressed how happy I was to see each of the cars out on the road with me. (Of course I decided against the throwing of things).