A Life Lesson Relearned

This past Friday evening my husband and I attended The Follies, a musical, produced every two years.  It was performed by owners of the Sea Towers Condos in Madeira Beach, Florida.  We had been invited by our dear friends of more that twenty years, Ed and Michele Elliott.

Be sure to hear the song sung at the LA production of la Cage at the bottom of this post...

I would be less than honest that we went with mixed feelings.  The condo complex, a huge one with literally thousands of residents, is a fifty-five years or older one with many people in their eighties and even older.  Even though Michele, who is a terrific pianist, was playing and Ed was the narrator--a job tailor made for him--we did not expect much in the way of entertainment.

As the production began, it was evident that the musical offerings were uneven.  Some were quite good.  Some not so much.  But something happened as we sat there listening.  There was a spirit alive in the room that became more evident as the evening went on.  These people were singing their hearts out and having a wonderful time.  It was infectious, and soon we were having fun!

Ed Elliott in Kilt

The finale, though, was the pièce de résistance.  The company chose the song The Best of Times written by Jerry Herman from La Cage aux Folles, and it was perfect!  I was touched in a way I wouldn't have thought possible.  Here were these performers, many in the most golden of their golden years, belting out a song of endless possibilities.  Of joy and hopefulness.  Of looking ever forward and embracing the future.  What are the lyrics one may ask?  I've included a You Tube video of an LA performance here and hope you will appreciate their message as well.

As we listen, let's salute the Sea Tower citizens and all others who approach and live these golden days with verve, vigor and vitality!

F is for Friends

Now I know everyone thinks s/he has the best friends in the world, but I really do!  And I know writing anything about friendship is shopworn at best.  But here goes anyway...

Stan and Kathy Burcham and Us

My family and I have been fortunate to live in several places, including London for almost ten years.  Why is that important?  Because even when you leave, you take your friends with you, and more crucially, you never throw them away.

I've always thought the measure of  my friendship with a person is to remain close, so close that you can take up the same conversation as when you last met and never miss that proverbial beat.

Nancy, Ed Elliott, Michele Elliott, Patricia

Do you lose some along the way?  Unfortunately, it can happen.  You don't mean for it to occur, but some people, alas, do not have the staying power and/or effort it takes to remain friends.  Happily, not many!  (Through the years, I can really say it's only been one.)

So what is it, that intangible, magical, can't live well without thing called friendship?  Trust, constancy, intimacy, loyalty, a degree of like-mindedness and the list goes on. 

Norm and Gerald Duff

For those of us who have moved a bit, friends are coinage.  For those of us who have not moved at all, friends are coinage.  Doesn't matter.  The only thing that does matter is working on continuing the relationship in an adult way, staying in touch whenever possible and being grateful they are in our lives! 

I'll leave you with this axiom on friendship by Oprah Winfrey:

Lots of people want to ride with you in the limo, but what you want is someone who will take the bus with you when the limo breaks down.

Pat Stephens