The First Dance
I was young, with a tedious job and long commute. Life was a snooze. What happened to my dreams?
Driving one night, I heard an ad for a Chicago Bulls cheerleading tryout. I don’t know what pushed me, but days later I was in a packed room, wearing a leotard, tights and a number. I knew little of cheerleading or basketball.
As we danced, judges weaved among us, clipboards in hand. I survived cut after cut. At the very end, my number was called. My heart sank— I’d lost at the buzzer. Sixteen girls joined me in the next room. Then, a judge. We were puzzled.
“Look around,” she said. “You are the new 1985-1986 Chicago Bulls cheerleaders.”
Being a ‘Luvabull’ was an honour and a privilege, and shook up my life.
I kept my full-time job ($20 [`1,600] per game wouldn’t cover the bills) and spent my nights and weekends at practices, games and events. Seeing the Bulls (and yes, Michael Jordan) up close was a whirlwind, once-in-a-lifetime experience that I’ll cherish forever, all because I took a crazy chance to get out of a rut. — LOIS LAVRISA
Getting the Last Laugh
I’m 73 years old and a stand-up comedian. I took a class for the heck of it at age 70. I had meat in the freezer older than most of my classmates. To graduate, we had to perform in front of an audience, and I almost backed out. But I was on a high after hearing the laughter of the crowd. Now, I perform in restaurants, comedy clubs, senior centres, etc. Who would’ve thought? — VALERIE LIBASCI
Clear Eyes, Full Hearts
Diese Geschichte stammt aus der January 2024-Ausgabe von Reader's Digest India.
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Diese Geschichte stammt aus der January 2024-Ausgabe von Reader's Digest India.
Starten Sie Ihre 7-tägige kostenlose Testversion von Magzter GOLD, um auf Tausende kuratierte Premium-Storys sowie über 8.000 Zeitschriften und Zeitungen zuzugreifen.
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BOOKS
Books review
STUDIO - Off Lamington Road by Gieve Patel
Oil on Canvas, 54 x 88 in
NEWS FROM THE WORLD OF MEDICINE
FOODS THAT FIGHT DEMENTIA
TO HELL AND BACK
The Darvaza crater in Turkmenistan is known as the Gates of Hell. I stood on its edge - and lived to tell the tale
THE SNAKE CHARMERS
Invasive Burmese pythons are squeezing the life out of Florida's vast Everglades. An unlikely sisterhood is taking them on
Sisterhood to Last a Lifetime
These college pals teach a master class in how to maintain a friendship for 50-plus years
...TO DIE ON A HOCKEY RINK
ONE MINUTE I WAS PLAYING IN MY BEER LEAGUE, THE NEXT I WAS IN THE HOSPITAL
Just Sit Tight
Broken, battered and trapped in a ravine for days, I desperate driver wonders, \"Will anyone find me?\"
Allow Me to Mansplain...
If there's one thing we know, it's this: We're a nation of know-it-alls
THE BITTER TRUTH ABOUT SUGAR (AND SUGAR SUBSTITUTES!)
It's no secret that we have a serious addiction. Here's how to cut back on the sweet stuff, once and for all.