A Show of Companionship

I have no way of proving this, but I’ll go ahead and state that never before had a bearded dragon featured in a talent show. But that’s just what happened on Saturday, April 20, for the much-anticipated annual Brighter Starts talent show co-hosted by Side by Side and YL Capernaum. Our friend, the one-and-only Jackie Bellis, appeared on stage along her beloved pet, full name Hops Crunchy Peanut Butter, who is indeed a bearded dragon (a kind of lizard, perhaps 9 inches or so in length).

In early preparations for the show this winter, we undergo a process of discovering how people want to be involved in the show. We prioritize creativity - people should be free to express their unique selves, and the word “talent” should not be put in a box. Some people want to sing. Some people want to dance. Some want to feature in the art gallery. Some want to play bells. Some want to race RC cars. And some (well, just one) want to show off their bearded dragon.

Ryan (co-emcee), Jackie, Hops (the bearded dragon… hard to see in this photo but on Jackie’s shoulder), and Betty.

What’s wonderful about the talent show is that it’s much more than a talent show. At this event, people share of themselves, and give the audience a glimpse into who they are. And the audience - with all their hooting and hollering and dancing along - celebrates the people even as they celebrate their performances. With each note, movement, brush stroke, and with each accompanying cheer, there’s a declaration: God made each one of these persons beautiful, and unique, and with the capacity to bless others. When the audience sees the performers freely living, then each one looking on might feel just a bit more free to live and be themselves too.

But back to Jackie and Hops. They actually weren’t alone on the stage, but were instead joined by Jackie’s friend Betty, a SBS volunteer. Backstage just before coming on, Jackie was nervous to appear before such a large audience. She doubted whether she wanted to come on. So Betty simply and quietly accompanied her, and they sat on the stage to the audience’s right.

This picture is so wonderful because it captures one of the beautiful qualities of friendship. Betty was able to pick up on Jackie’s apprehension and enter into the situation gracefully. She knew that all Jackie needed was for Betty to sit next to her, a quiet and comforting companion. That’s what their friendship called for in the moment. Many people probably didn’t even notice Betty there. But there she was, side by side with her friend Jackie… and of course, Hops Crunchy PB as well.