A short while ago, on Thanksgiving, my husband, Harvey, and I walked to Granville Island to do some shopping and relax.
As we were sitting outside on the dock, sipping our ridiculously-priced lattes, we heard someone playing guitar and singing the 1950’s song Tequila, by The Champs.
You know the one.
So, we take a look, and the guy singing it has got to be 75-years-old if he’s a day. In all the years I’ve been hanging out at Granville Island, I’ve never seen such a “mature” busker.
My first thought was “Cool! The old guy’s rocking that song!” And he has a great voice.
The latent social worker in me wondered if he just did this for fun, or if he was busking to supplement a meager, insufficient income?
My mind immediately went to door number two, but the truth could just as easily be behind door number one.
You know that saying: “Do what you love; the money will follow.”
I’ve always thought that was one enormous crock of male bovine excrement. I hope that busker isn’t counting on it. He could have a suitcase full of money stored under his bed for all I know.
Or not.
In any case, he looked like he was having fun, and people were putting money in his guitar case, so who am I to judge.
This could just be an example of what I’ve been saying for months now — that retirement should be a time to do what you love, and metaphorically “dance like nobody’s watching.”
If the busker was doing it for the fun and not the funds, then all the power to him!
If the opposite was true, I feel for the guy, because that can’t be a very lucrative gig. That is precisely why we put $5 in his open guitar case, as did another older man.
When the busker ended his set, I walked up and told him he had a lovely voice, and thanked him. He thanked me back, and all was right with the world — at that moment.
We went back inside Granville Island Market to buy our over-priced turkey roll and some veggies, and I realized (not for the first time that day) that I have a lot to be thankful for: this beautiful city we live in; money enough to help others; good food on the table; and a comfortable home.
You never know what goes on in other people’s lives.
I suppose the lesson here is to be thankful for what you have, avoid judging others, and live your truth. It may not turn you into a millionaire, but your life will be honest and good.
Shelley Civkin is a retired communications officer with the Richmond Public Library
