I have to say this somewhere, because I'd be ashamed of myself it I were to remain silent. It's about the discussion I've read here, some of which I understand was deleted, about the Rockin' Grandmas at the Ameristar and at the concert.

I happen to belong to that group though I mostly think of myself as a DCOer or DWoPer. It's where used to go before DCO and the only thing that kept me at the Dash, though by now most of the communication is through email. They are a very warm and supportive group but they can also be a very enthusiastic group and there are entirely too many emails for my still rather busy schedule so I honestly have to say that I embarked on the KC get together with a certain amount of anticipatory trepidation.

Someone who knew that I was a member of the R-G group asked me to try to get the women NOT to wear their T-shirts because that's "not appropriate" for a rock concert and it would be bad for David's credibility. The concern was that our being visible would be a problem for David. At first I really bought into this and was strategizing whether and how I might influence the group to lay low. Then one of the group, someone whom I've really grown to respect for her thoughtfulness and kindness, reminded me of my own ageism post. She had just run into it on a google search, totally by accident.( http://www.davidcookofficial.com/blog/raising-age-issue) She also reminded me that the shirt had been the project of one of the grandmas who made it happen at a very difficult time in her life. For many living on fixed incomes traveling to the concert was a significant investment, but David and the community had come to mean so much it was worthwhile. How could I even consider doing/saying something to rain on that parade? I knew in my heart that she was right. My head was still somewhat anxious, but I couldn't do what was asked. I couldn't do to the group what our culture had/has done to this, (my) generation of women from the beginning.

Then, after getting home from KC, I started reading what was left of the posts about the R-Gs in the DWoP thread. Wow, I could see how much the ridicule of the older woman remains a popular cultural prejudice. I saw that some posters partly identified with the group but distanced themselves at the same time. Perhaps the group wasn't rock concert "cool", but it was a hell of a lot fun. I only hope that those who shuddered at the thought of our group being a visible presence at KC have a similar opportunity when they get to our age. At some point, warm becomes more important than "cool".

Thank you Angie, for your supportive post.
Fri, 04/24/2009 - 10:07 — Angie
As you may or may not know, a group of WONDERFUL women (and YES, they are some of the much maligned Rockin' Grannies, so watch what you say about them to me folks) offered me a ticket in the second row on Neal's side of the stage. THEY are the ones who enabled my capturing of these videos from such a great vantage point.

Now, one of them has offered to buy my ticket to Tulsa in exchange for a ride and a place to stay, so I may be getting into my car and driving to Tulsa today and attending the Tulsa concert tomorrow night.