A New Course

…I felt I was making real progress. I was working just over two months with UPS, and the camaraderie was awesome. Everyone was a college student, and on our breaks we talked about what we did for fun. I informed them if I wasn’t fishing, or hiking, I would be playing tennis with friends. I also enjoyed going to concerts, if I could get “cheap tickets.” My summers were always a lot of fun, but went by way too fast. When school started again in September, I limited my social activity, and concentrated on my studies. That kept me real busy. I did occasionally go to concerts, and I was able to see one of Detroit’s prodigies, the one and only, “Stevie Wonder!” The ticket only cost me $7.00. I saw him in Detroit and Montreal. Those concerts were memorable. In Detroit he played at the “Old Red Brick Barn” known to native Detroiter’s as the Olympia. It was also home of the Detroit Red Wings Hockey team.

…In Montreal, he played at the Montreal Forum. Another historical stadium known as the home of the Montreal Canadian Hockey team. That ticket only cost me $10.00 Canadian, and about $8.00 American on the exchange. Stevie was an unbelievable musician. What I liked most about him was he always gave thanks to God and seemed inspired by that holy realm. I would see him much later in life both in person and in concert. He is equixially talented. Always thoughtful of his audience, and wanting to play what they wanted to hear. I could not spend that long in Montreal, but I met a bunch of students from McGill University who could not believe I traveled all the way from Detroit to see him in concert. They spoke better English than I spoke French, but I assured them when he starts playing they will know why I came to see him. He didn’t disappoint them. The acoustics of the arena, and his opening song “Superstition” had them sitting at the edge of their seats. I could only smile.

…At the end of the concert they wanted to get my address so we could be “pen pals.” I exchanged addresses with them, but knew I could not stay much longer here. I had at least an 8-10 hour drive back to Detroit, and depending on traffic, it could be even longer. I said, “au revoir” which led the young men to shake my hand, and the young ladies hugged me kissing me on the cheek. I know I was blushing again because they started laughing at me. I could only respond in French, ” je ne sais quoi” which had them giggling even more. I stayed at the Queens Hotel for the night, and had a good rest. I made sure to leave a tip for the housekeeper because I knew I left the bathroom shower in shambles. The room was much cleaner than I had left it.

…On my ride home I could only think of the concert songs and I was glad some of them played on the radio. The weather was great and it only took me 8 hours to get to the border. I had no problem coming through the Canadian side but got hung up on the American side. They wanted me to produce my draft card and reminded me that by law I had to carry it. When I looked in my wallet it wasn’t there, but then I remembered they wanted to see it when I left. It was sitting in the cup holder. Crisis averted. They smiled and waved me through when I produced it. I thanked God again for the safe journey back home! The memory of the concert still fresh in my mind inspired me for a lifetime. .My Life’s Journey Continued…

Motown’s Musical Genius: