The Greatest Show on Bryn Mawr

When I was about 10 years old, Katie Elmendorf and I used to dream of being circus performers. One reason that we used to use your backyard for our “big top” was that Alex loved to play along with our dream. The other reason was that Sable absolutely loved to play along even more.

I don’t remember if Sable was a he or a she, but I think it was a she, so that’s what I’m going to run with. When we would come around the corner with miscellaneous things that we thought would help us with the circus training (ski poles, rain boots, hula hoops, juggling materials), she would go nuts. I remember that she used to in under a little overhang that is probably somewhere under your current master bathroom.

I’d juggle, Katie would toss things at Sable to catch in her mouth and Alex would waddle around doing God knows what. We’d do that for hours. It was ridiculous, but it was so much fun.

I remember Sable ran away and I was crushed. I know that you guys were, too. For about 2 or 3 months I would search the nursery every weekend. When we’d drive to Pizza Hut, Brentwood Bowl, or wherever else I’d stare out the window looking for her.

The next summer I think I started to grow up and stop playing circus. I don’t even think that I thought about it. I was likely learning to play doctor with Katie…

However, for that one summer, you’re backyard was my dream world.