Do you ever meet people throughout your journeys that are, simply put, happy?
I’m not talking about the happiness one derives from their latest Mercedes-Benz, their newest gadget, or slipping a $20 into a ladies knickers at the Cricketers Arms. I don’t know, maybe I’m out of touch with what makes people happy these days….
Sometimes you meet someone who is truly happy, in every meaning of the word, that doesn’t rely on, as cliché as it sounds, material items. Sometimes happiness is enough. It takes on a life of its own, becoming a compounding asset. Happiness creates happiness.
One such man that Terrence met on his recent travels is Robin, the Dancing Man of Kew.
Robin could literally be the happiest man alive. You are greeted with a smile from ear to ear, a friendly chat, and an infectious case of happiness. Suddenly I am happier than I have been in a long time.
Robin has not always been this happy. 11 years ago he was bedridden at St Georges Hospital in Kew, Victoria, for 6 months with cancer in his leg. After extensive treatment and rehabilitation he was discharged in early 2000. As happy as Robin is today, he believes this was the happiest day of his life. He caught the 109 tram back to his community residence in Kew, slapped on his runners, strapped on his walkman, strutted down to the Kew junction outside the then Clifton Hotel, and started dancing.
Robin has been dancing every day since….mostly at that same spot, sometimes at the corner of Balwyn and Whitehorse Roads in Balwyn, and sometimes on High Street in Northcote where he has lived in the past. You will find Robin dancing somewhere on any given day, although he usually knocks off around 4 o’clock.
In proving that happiness is infectious, the community support shown to Robin is comforting in this day and age. Bob Stewart of Kew gives Robin a new pair of runners everytime he wears his out with the Melbourne Shuffle. Theodoros from Coffee Moments shouts him Flat White’s on the house to fuel his mule. The Kew Hotel spots him sodas and colas on the tick to give him some gas for his ass. And now Terrence Towel gives him duds so he can dance harder, better, faster, stronger, and in more comfort and style than ever before.
Next time you drive past Robin on one of his dance floors, please toot the horn and wave, please shout out the window and say G’Day. And please try to be as happy as him, for your own sake.
Note: Robin’s earphones have recently broken. He has bought a new pair but can’t afford more than $10 so his earphones are not great quality. If any readers have a nice pair of earphones that they are willing to part with please contact Terrence@terrence.com.au and we will arrange.
If someone deserves to listen to good quality sound, it’s Robin.
Any Rock’n’Roll Cassette’s would be greatly appreciated also.
No comments:
Post a Comment