mardi gras memories

i've never been

to new orleans

for mardi gras...

yet i have the best memories

of a fat tuesday celebration

once a month

my girl scout troop

would meet up at

 the greens of lyndhurst

an assisted living facility

where we would entertain

the residents

for the night

each month was a different theme

it seemed only fitting

 that in march

we celebrate mardi gras

we brought beads

and hats and masks...

we sang mardi gras songs

served cupcakes with

a little plastic baby

hidden in each one

sarah was so alive

on these nights

she became the helper

instead of the one

 often being helped

i loved the planning

the creativity

and seeing the smiles

on everyone's

faces

both the young

 and the not so young

and that will always be

my mardi gras memory