The Red Nose

The more people I meet…the more people that want to know…how did I get caught up in clowning?

It may interest you to know that in the beginning…I hated dressing up…however, even as a child clowns have always interested me. I always wanted to be one for Halloween, but never had the guts to ask.

So about fifteen years ago, we started having Fall Parties so our kids could have their friends over and we could all get together and dress up and have fun. I did these parties for about twelve years…and then…I was just too tired to have them anymore.

The first year, I told my kids that I would dress up in any costume they chose..:they chose clown.::and I did it as big as I possibly could…and then I thought that would be the end of it.

My youngest stepdaughter went to school the next week and told the staff that I would be more than happy to do balloons at their school carnival as a clown. 😬😬😳😳😳.

I had no idea how to do balloons, or clowning…or anything…but I also had a hard time saying no…so I did it…and was asked back for five years to do that carnival.

At the time. I had a baby and so clowning was something I didn’t get to do but on and off and on…but when I did..it was such a fun experience.

As time went on, I felt the burden to increase my knowledge and the doors began to fly open. I wasn’t really that excited for the doors to open…but they continued to do so.

Owning a retail store, which is very serious, clowning provided even more of a way to release nervous tension and keep me humble.

I started being asked by retirement homes, races, carnivals, churches, runs, opening for animal shelters, Places for the homeless, food for kids organizations. More and more places.

This past summer I even decided that if it was possible for me to clown that I would do so for anyone that asked…and the doors flew open and were constant.

I decided to go to clown school in Minnesota and receive even more training…so for two summers I went and received training at Mooseburger Clown camp. I have also received training from a two day camp here in Missouri. The more that I learn, the more that I learn that I need to know.

Someday, I would like to receive training to do hospital clowning…that would be my dream.

Clowning does get lonely…many people don’t understand why I do what I do. There are days I wish I didn’t do it. I would like to sell all my belongings…and get rid of everything that I did for clowning…it’s a burden that I carry…but something that I can’t stop doing.

Some days I don’t want to do it…but after I get that smile from another…I see the purpose…and it’s enough to carry me through.

Happy clowning!