I came early to the Jesse Lee Methodist Church to attend the SPHERE Film group on Thursday evening two weeks ago. Cold outside, warm inside, the warmth that comes from human embrace; in this case, many embraces. The members of SPHERE spill into the hall, one or two at a time or in clusters of several. When the SPHERE bus finally arrived, having to combat the narrowness of snow banked streets, a blooming bunch of happy members decked in winter garbed, entered the hall busily chatting of the cold, the roads, the delayed arrival and after the cancelation of their big film event the week prior, their pleasure in being back together. Energy is everywhere, the kind that heats up a room quickly.
The SPHERE Film Group as I learned, begins its evening with members sharing “Happy News.” Val and Emily make announcements and then Jocelyn hearkens members to rise up one row at a time to share their happy news. The Oscar winners at the Academy Award Show last Sunday night don’t hold a candle to the SPHERE Members who actually looked at their audience when speaking rather than pieces of paper and spoke both with originality and bounce.
Jocelyn began it all with the rhythmic “Keeping our SPHERE wheels going round and round” a playful reminder to members to keep the pace. Julie’s happy news was quitting skiing, a decision made after years of competing; she was done with that. That made her happy. Applause.
Chris was thrilled with his new box set of CDs of opera through the decades. Grace declared that she has “a nice life” and proudly announced that she consumed only half her fries at dinner. Her aim is “to get skinny” an impressive accomplishment indeed. Robin had the happiest news, she dined out Sunday night. Pete was paid a big sum for his hard work at Pepperidge Farm. Patty went shopping for summer clothes with her sister. “I really loaded up.”
Wendy spoke for many when she said, “My good news is being here tonight.” Zach won Bingo two weeks ago. Mark has a new boss and a new jacket as a member of the “soda crew.” Juliette is moving into her new home and went to the Westminster Dog Show. Bayne’s aunt is up from Virginia, yea!
Everyone applauds, cheers or roars for each other. The rows come up to stand in front of the stage and then return to their seats, moving smoothly through the hall, occasionally giving each other a hug. Lots of beaming faces. Every so often, someone shares a bit of sad news too, but Val and Emily are pretty clear. This is the time for “Happy News.” No detours here.
Rachel watched the newly arrived, hot off the presses DVD of SPHERE’s production of the Bride of Frankenstein. The DVDs are here and Rachel of course is the infamous Bride. Everyone loved this news. And all the members were not only going to see the movie that evening but would go home with their personal copy.
Karen had a good day and Marky started joined the walking group and lost two pounds. Awesome. Ryan saved big bucks for a trip to South Carolina. Dillon is heading to Vieques, P.R. and Maya hung out with her friend the school psychologist, eating at Fifty Coins and bringing each other up to date on their lives.
Emily drew envious sighs in her description of five days in Aruba,
temperature 88 degrees and checking off an item on her bucket list, snorkeling. Another sigh from the audience.
Juliana had no temperature for 3 1/2 days and John Andrew will watch his Bride DVD with his parents.
Marianne finished the acknowledgments and personal biography for her book. A.T. shoveled snow. Shawn shared in his shoveling joys and pride in cleaning the church’s walkways.
Some members reported on the improving health of family members. Jon’s mom is doing well. Kris’s mom is in NYC meeting a friend. Cindy’s dad is going to let SPHERE use his antique car in SPHERE’S new movie project, The Great Gatsby. Cheers! And Diane M. is flying to Florida. She also announced that the cooking group now has received new aprons with the SPHERE LOGO – very cool.
WOW! What a night. Volunteers announce their Happy News too. And of course my Happy News was being a part of this group that night, getting to know the members better, being Juliette’s mom, always happy news for me, and reaping the benefits of this hard working group’s energy, shared love and mutual support. Their incredible freedom to be who they are in the company of friends. I love to laugh and laughter, empathy, encouragement and honesty are the hallmarks of this group. The atmosphere is not just warm; it is real.
After the Happy News we all watched Bride of Frankenstein, the movie’s many stars seated in the audience, celebrating their hard work and impressive performances, patting each other on the back or erupting in loud laughter at particular moments. The movie is hysterical. The Academy Awards has nothing on SPHERE. Everyone is always a winner there.
Written by Jill Edelman Barberie, Juliette’s Mom