Peter's Anthem

It was months ago, but being without a television and without much interest in baseball, I'm only hearing about it today.

Tens of thousands had come to Fenway Park to see the Red Sox play. (I understand it was a good year to live in Boston.) The game was about to begin.

There were players on the field, hats over their hearts. The fans were one their feet. Peter stood near home plate with a microphone before him and began to sing. It wasn't particularly good rendition of the national anthem, but it was Disabilities Awareness Day, and Peter has autism, and the fact that he was singing under the lights in front of thousands was very, very impressive.

Halfway thru... maybe he saw a face he knew, or maybe he started to forget the words -- he giggled. Loudly and directly into the microphone, he giggled. His laughter was so surprising and so genuine that the crowd erupted in laughter with him. And it really was with him: they clapped to encourage him and then cheered as he continued. "O'er the ramparts we watched..." He giggled again.

And then an amazing thing happened.

Whereas the crowd had been mostly silent up to then, with "so gallantly streaming," they began to sing. Faintly at first they backed him up. And then the crowd sang louder. At "the rockets red glare," the voices of the crowd filled the stadium so that although Peter was still singing (and giggling), he was but one of many. And as they reached "the land of the free," the fans began to shout. At the "home of the brave," the song was ended, the giggling didn't matter anymore, and everyone in Fenway Park was on their feet smiling and clapping and cheering — for Peter.

I was in tears.

When I sat down this evening, I had something different to say. Something with, shall we say, a different tone. But I think Peter's national anthem and the crowd at Fenway Park that night in late June is a better way to end the day.

---
Watch the video.
A description.
More info (scroll waaay down to "A Very Special National Anthem at Fenway").

11:01:59 PM   permalink: []   feedback:   comments: []