One of my friends asked me recently how I managed to sing the National Anthem at the ballpark last March while my heart was in atrial fibrillation. I sent the following reply:

Now, that’s another story! After three days, I was still in a-fib on Wednesday. But as you know, I subscribe to the adage, “The show must go on!” So, I picked up our quartet baritone, Sherm, at her house here in Westbrook Village at 11:00 a.m., giving us plenty of time to get to the Avondale stadium by noon, where we would meet the bass and tenor. (See the picture of my comedy barbershop quartet, Lilac Crazy, on the media page.)

I drove carefully on the freeway. But the farther we went down the highway, the more light-headed I became. In case you didn’t know, when one is in “a-fib” the heart doesn’t pump––it flutters. Therefore, one’s brain is a bit starved for blood. So, I finally pulled off the freeway at Camelback Road. I told Sherm I had to stop for a cool drink, and pulled into a “quick mart.” While I was in the store, she called our bass, Claudia, who was at that moment on the freeway just past Camelback Road. She got off at the next exit, went back to our location, picked us up, and drove to the ballpark. I left my car parked at the store lot.

Sherm was afraid I’d be “ticked off” because she’d called Claudia, but I was actually grateful, because I certainly didn’t want to have an accident with my friend in the car. Thankfully, Sherm’s foot was better––she had surgery a few weeks ago––and she could now walk on the cast. But, she brought her walker along, in case she might need it. So, I used her walker to get from the parking lot to the stadium, in the off chance I’d have a fainting spell as a result of poor blood flow. The folks at the ballpark were so kind, and drove us in a golf cart around and down to the field so we didn’t have to negotiate steps.

We were a sight to behold––one member in a cast up to her knee, and another one on a walker, looking like death warmed over. I can just imagine what the audience must have thought: “Look at those old ladies––this is going to be awful!” And then we sang. And it was glorious. I just closed my eyes and sang from my heart, so I guess the air came from Heaven. As we were driven off the field in the golf cart, the audience cheered and waved, giving us a standing ovation.

My point is this: Determination goes a long way to mitigate physical disability. Just look at the accomplishments of people such as our returning wounded soldiers, or people born with missing limbs, and––how about the woman who’d lost both legs yet won second place in that famous dance contest on TV? Amazing! I believe there are many fellow humans who subscribe to the same adage, “The Show Must Go On!” I believe we can all choose to function, despite whatever dysfunctions we may have.

Now, there’s also a funny story about how I got lost trying to get back home that afternoon, but I’ll save that for another time. It just goes to show––your brain needs blood to function!