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Foolish Questions: An Entertainer' s Wife's Ordeal

BY BETH LIPPARD

Being the wife of a professional entertainer is definitely not for everyone. After all, it's hard to keep up with someone who "throws up" for a living! But then again, most wives don't have the opportunity to travel with a husband to such exotic places as Jamaica, Hilton Head Island, Charleston and Pell City, Ala. In our year of travel together so far, there are several questions people keep asking me, so I thought I'd share them with you. Maybe they will give you a better idea of what Mark does - or maybe of what he doesn't!

"Yeah, but what is his real job?"

It is here that we must consider for ourselves the meaning of the term "real" job. If a "real" job is one that goes from 8 a.m. through 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, then the answer is an emphatic, "No, this is not a real job!" However, I believe in expanding the minds of those who ask the question, so I answer, "This is his real job." Most people reply how cool that is. Cool... maybe. Insane... more likely. Now, don't get me wrong. I love what Mark does. It is fun and always changing, but it takes a very special person to keep up the pace, and that's exactly what Mark is - very special!

"Is he, like, in the circus or something?"

I always get a kick out of this question. To most people, juggling and unicycling is equated with the circus. I suppose this is understandable since people draw on their own life experiences to relate to things. Most individuals have not seen an entertainer like Mark at a festival, school, church (especially not at a church!), trade show or banquet. Only at a circus. Therefore, Mark must be in the circus. We love to broaden people's understanding on this one, and have had many chances to do just that!

"Does Mark drive you crazy at home?"

Yes, he does, but not for the reason most people think. Many women ask me this because they assume he juggles everything in the house. Most or them mention dishes! There are a lot or things in our home that he could juggle if he wanted to - apples, oranges, baseballs, balled-up socks. But dishes?! No, he has never tried juggling dishes, nor does he do much of any juggling in the house. Juggling is his profession. It's work for him. He absolutely loves it and practices in a gym when he can, but he feels no need to juggle in the house, thank goodness!

I must mention here that the reason he does drive me crazy sometimes is because of his high energy level. Sometimes, I must admit, I have a hard time keeping up!

"Do you ever get scared watching him ride that tall unicycle?"

Well, duh! Whose heart wouldn't skip a few beats if she had to watch her husband juggle and do tricks while riding a 10-1/2 foot tall unicycle? With time, however, I have found that I have become accustomed to it, as long as he doesn't fall. (Just ask my parents if he's ever fallen!) There is a monster in our basement, though, that I will always be afraid of. It's a 16-foot tall, neon orange unicycle. Yes, he does ride it occasionally if he performs in a gymnasium with a high enough ceiling. When he's on top of that thing, his head is in the rafters. I will always and forever be frightened by this formidable creature!

There are many more questions and comments I could share with you, but I need to get back to work. Yes, I do work. Running a small business isn't easy! But Mark and I have been blessed by God. Mark has been a full-time professional for almost eight years now. He feels fortunate to be able to do something he enjoys and actually make a living at it. I am able to work in our office and travel with him, which means we spend quality time together that most married couples can only dream about. We know that God has other plans for us some day, but until that day comes, we will continue to play and get paid for it!