Ending Chapters
Ending chapters is hard. At least for me. Even if I want to get to the end of a great book, I will sometimes linger to try to prolong getting to the last page. Life is a series of chapters that make up books that make of the volumes that form our personal stories. The stories interconnect with other people’s. We may share just a few pages or a whole book.
Today, was the end of a chapter for the Galilee Circus. It was the last official show of one its first members, Roey Shafran. I say ‘official’ show because I know from my own St. Louis Arches’ experience that my alums almost always end up being in future shows at some point for some reason. We have a saying: “Once an Arch, forever an Arch.”
Roey is leaving for the Israeli Army soon. It is mandatory for Israeli Jewish men and women who are citizens of Israel. It is optional for Israeli Arabs. Roey is excited about his chosen field and what he will learn there. I led a Circus Harmony style ceremony for Roey where people come up and say things to the honoree— a story, a thank you, words of advice…
In addition to the 2014 Galilee Arches performers and staff, Roey’s parents were there along with two Galilee Circus/Galilee Arches alums. People spoke in Hebrew, in Arabic, and in English. Some were translated. Some were not. All were obviously heart felt and made Roey, me and others teary- eyed. It is the end of a chapter.
I know from 25 years of saying fare well to Arches that while I am sad when anyone moves on, I can honestly say that some leave a bigger hole in the group than others. Roey has been a kind, serious, steadfast, talented, hardworking member of this group. He has grown immensely since we first met in 2007 as a performer and a young man. He has helped the Galilee Circus grow. Roey has a clarity that few men of his age possess. Even Ali, the oldest member of the troupe, at 23, refers to Roey as ‘Saba’ which means grandfather in Hebrew.
When it was my turn to speak, I told him I felt about him and some of the original Galilee Circus kids as if they were my own, In fact, Roey came to the States on his own for two weeks last summer and he was absolutely one my kids. I also spent part of this afternoon talking with Mysa Kabat, another Galilee alum and just felt such an incredible mutual bond of love and respect with her. Last night, Ali Hasrme, another original Galilee member, drove me to speak at a workshop (where I also had him speak) and then back to Roey’s house where I was staying. We are so comfortable with each other that we can carry on a conversation even though I speak no Hebrew and he speaks little English. This is just another branch of my circus family. Deeply and absolutely.
After I was done speaking, I gave Roey a bracelet I’ve been wearing. It has single elephant charm. I told him it is because elephants never forget and also that because the trunk being up holds good luck. But I also gave it to him because it was something I was wearing in honor of David Balding, the founder and artistic director of Circus Flora. I worked with David for 28 years. He passed away in May. David’s passing was the end of a very huge chapter in my own life. David was the one who asked me to start the St. Louis Arches. If there had not been the St. Louis Arches there would not have been the Galilee Arches. The elephant charm will now go with Roey to watch over him in his next chapter.
I know whenever one of the St. Louis Arches has left who I though I couldn’t do without that another Arch has stepped up into the spotlight. It will be interesting to see who it Is in the Galilee. Meanwhile, in a couple of days, I return home to see who it will be in St.Louis because my biological son and long time St. Louis Arch, Kellin Quinn, just ended a very major chapter in the St. Louis Arches. He is joining his brother at Ecole National du Cirque in Montreal next month. It is time for the Galilee Circus and the St. Louis Arches next generations to step up. As sad as I am when I finish a great book, I am also always excited to begin a new one.