Saying Goodbye to the Circus

“To grow up is to wonder about things; to be grown up is to slowly forget the things you wondered about as a child.”
― Henning Mankell, When the Snow Fell

I was saddened to hear that May will be the last show for the Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus.  Once I heard the news, I talked my husband into getting tickets to see the circus one last time.  After talking him into the idea of going to the circus, without a child in tow, I began looking forward to my last experience with the Ringling Bros. circus.

There are memories that you carry as an adult that take you back in time.  The circus, for me, is one of those fond memories.  I associate the circus with family.  I remember vividly going with my parents and watching in awe as the performers took me to magical places.

As an adult, I enjoyed taking my son to the circus.  I hope he holds fond memories of the experiences, as well.

A lot of this year’s show took place on ice.  I found myself most attracted to the parts of the show that I have seen from year to year.

Although I didn’t beg for souvenirs (not much, anyway), somehow, the child in me came back to life as I watched my last performance of the Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus.

I will always be thankful for the magical moments that linger in my memory of my visits to the circus.