Blog 3439 – 04.03.2025

An Important Time In My Young Life

Sixty years ago, thanks to my Middle School Art Teacher, Don Crane, who was also a Director of School Plays and Drama Coach, I found myself playing one of the leading roles in the East Lake Junior High School spring play. For the shy, retiring boy that had been up to that point it was an amazing and remarkable time. The picture above was in the local paper announcing the spring play.

My cousin, Wylie Tallent, loaned me one of his stylish sport coats to wear in the school’s play and I felt like James Bond and I was for that brief bright shining moment on top of the world. My performance was well received and I recall walking home from the play that night feeling happy and adored. I felt like dancing but knew no dance steps, still I am sure that I walked with a new swagger and I remember singing aloud a hit song of that time, Petula Clarke’s Downtown, as I made my way home.

Those precious moments of self discovery have informed the rest of my life and I have had a happier, a freer, and a fuller life because of them. Thank you, Mr. Crane, for fanning the spark that you saw in me.

May I do the same for others. I have tried to and I hope that I have. Some lines from my daily mantra come to mind. “I go within, I mirror you, I admire you, I worship you, I adore you, I love you.” Every one of us needs to feel that, to experience that in our lives. I did on a spring night sixty years ago and have again and again since that fateful evening.

I believe my smile became more genuine and more real that night and I believe that I did as well.

Your friend and fellow traveler

David James White

Today, my son Jay is thirty-five years young.

Happy Birthday, Jay. You were once the new kid on the block.