Enjoying the unexpected delights of a night of music at the Los Angeles County Arboretum

The past performance of summertime was my archetypal clip backmost astatine the Pasadena Pops since George died. It was besides the 20th day of the 9/11 panic attacks.

Searching for a parking abstraction connected a broadside thoroughfare adjacent the Los Angeles County Arboretum, Sara and I got an unexpected surprise. Peacocks.

Confident and aloof, they wandered up and down the thoroughfare oblivious to the information of being deed by a car. It was the eventual innocence. They believed they were harmless successful their ain territory.

“We were erstwhile peacocks,” I said to Sara aft the infinitesimal of soundlessness for the fallen heroes of 9/11. We lived successful the guiltless naivete that information from terrorists successful our homeland was a given. Until it wasn’t.

Although it began with somber thoughts, the evening was enchanted.

As we entered the Arboretum, a crooked grin of satellite lit the crowded tract wherever a uncommon uninhabited spot of writer called to us.

I dispersed retired the purple comforter that has accompanied maine to the Pops for galore years, and, astir connected cue, a chill breeze caressed maine arsenic I sat down. I was astatine location again successful a spot I hadn’t realized however overmuch I had missed.

While beingness could not support maine from violent attacks, oregon the decease of a antheral I adored, it inactive offered possibilities of unexpected delight.

Masked euphony lovers, vaccination cards successful hand, gathered connected a tract during a deadly pandemic due to the fact that they needed the nourishment that euphony provides. Even if it came with risks. I was arrogant to beryllium among them and to beryllium reminded that serendipity was live and well.

People inactive wrote music. Created poetry. Fell successful love. Babies were born. Ordinary radical performed bonzer deeds.

As though helium was speechmaking my mind, Pops Conductor Michael Feinstein’s ambiance, arsenic helium smiled his mode to the stage, encouraged america to indulge successful the euphony moments. Sing along. Hum along. Sip immoderate wine. Enjoy.

And truthful it was that my summertime ended with a popular of euphony and a mixed metaphor of innocence mislaid and anticipation renewed.

Email patriciabunin@sbcglobal.net travel her connected Twitter @patriciabunin