Lots of cheer at the holiday luncheon at Miami Bridge this year. Saw Mama T, and lots of other friends I hadn’t seen for quite a while. What made my day — maybe even my year — was seeing staff member Lawrence play piano while four Bridge residents sang “This Christmas” (Chris Brown, ahem)! When I donated the piano last Christmas, I was afraid it might get shoved into a closet somewhere. Turns out Lawrence plays it every morning — and has been teaching some of the young artists to play as well.

Nearly everyone was in high spirits. Fernando and I sat a table with a group of energetic young men, including MC Christopher, who is good at spinning a yard. I introduced myself to another young man, named Javier, and told him we’d be starting Carnival Arts soon.

“I want to learn to dance,” he said with a smile.

“So do I,” said another young man nearby, named Maurice.

This should be a great holiday Carnival Arts session.