ONWARD AND UPWARD

We all hit headwinds on life's turbulent flight path. These readers navigated toward sunny skies

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