rachel’s blog

While walking between two buildings on campus this morning, I was a few paces behind a middle-aged man who I had never seen before. As I was about to enter the building where I work, the man held the door open behind him and waited for me to catch up. A funky red, yellow, and blue beret-like cap sat on his head at an angle.

“Nice hat!” I said. “It’s really unusual… Is there a story behind it?”

There was. He told me that he takes the hat with him on his international travels, and he’ll often put on his clown nose and entertain the children, particularly in third-world countries. While he was telling me this, he pulled a red clown nose out of his coat pocket and momentarily put it on before it disappeared into his pocket again.

A lot of clowns tend to be frighteningly hyperactive. Not this man. His voice and demeanor were so gentle that I’m sure most children feel at ease with him immediately. He asked if I’ve ever done any clowning.

“No, why? Are you suggesting I look like a clown?!” I teased.

The man laughed and asked if I know Patch Adams. I said yes, and just as I was about to add, “Well, not personally,” the man said, “I know Patch.” He went on to say something to the effect that Patch thinks we all need to do a little clowning. And then our short conversation drew to a close and we parted ways.

I still have no idea who the man was, but I’m sure glad I asked about his hat!