Member-only story
This Happened to Me
A Trip to the Circus
As told by Shirley Duke
At 96 years old, my mom thought it a good idea to write some of her life experiences. She’s put pen to paper and asked me to help put her memories in story form. This story was especially fun since it’s a fond memory of mine, too.
This is the first of many! I hope you enjoy it.
It was hot and dusty that day when we stopped to buy tickets. A three-ring circus was in town! As we stood in line, the enticing aroma of popcorn and the sweetness of sticky cotton candy surrounded us.
This would be my two daughters’ first circus. It was the summer of 1960, the girls were 4 and 2 years old. The anticipation was high. Clutching tickets in our hands we entered the balloon-festooned opening to the tent; ‘The March of the Gladiators” blasted from the suspended speakers.
We were just in time. The show was about to begin!
Quickly finding our places in the front row, we were excited to see the three rings decorated with ribbons and bright paint. Balloons and anticipation filled the air. Once and awhile, a balloon would pop with a delightful puffy bang. The girls jumped in surprise every time.
We saw clowns bustling about wearing outrageous costumes of feathers and bright sequins. The crowd…
