Friday night is family night at our house. What better way to kick off a balmy spring evening than to play a little on the beach, then dine at our favorite patio restaurant, Café On The Beach. The food was delicious… as always. The seagulls squawked and dive-bombed outside the patio’s safe zone… as always. Children played and lovers cooed … as always.
But last night was special. Of course it’s always special when singer Tom Mobley croons to the crowd. Still we couldn’t help but smile as an endearing senior couple took to the floor hugging and patting each other in time to Tom’s heart throbbing rendition of “Can’t Help Falling in Love with You.” A short time later a teen couple stole the show with a lively swing to “Jeremiah Was a Bullfrog,” twisting and twirling as their grandparents might have all those years ago when Jim Croce reigned.
Then the moment. Just before sunset Tom rocked the house with his patriotic medley of America the Beautiful, God Bless America, and the Battle Hymn of the Republic. Immediately, chairs scuffed and feet shuffled as the crowd stood as one to face the setting sun and join voices in a heartfelt tribute to this our county.
For all of our staunchly defended differences, last night we were one, all singing the same tune. Young, old, Michigan, Illinois, New York, Ohio, Florida, red, blue, the Jeremiah-dancing Hispanic couple. Our voices soared.
The crowd applauded to the setting sun. But they cheered to America, while I brushed away at the tears on my cheeks. It was an iconic American moment.
