The Passing Parade

 My holiday cheer was stabbed to the bone by the sudden -- and impossible --  news that my dear friend Bonnie was found dead.  Just lying on her couch.  We had talked and texted just the day before.

Now, acutely mindful of the random moments that make up our life, I am looking forward to Christmas dinner at the home of my best friend Phyllis.  She always takes the time and energy to decorate with such fabulous taste and flair.  And, her company is a match for it all.

So, the passing parade marched right up to my door this year.  My hope is that I will be able to curse the darkness and emerge with hope, laughter, and love.

A Knockout

 

A few weeks ago, I decided to make a list of favorite films and see if I could find them to watch again.  I didn't have "When We Were Kings" in mind, but when I saw it on Netflix I knew I was in for a treat all over again.  Muhammed Ali is exactly who I need now to bring some inspiration into this grim moment.

At the end of the film,  George Plimpton tells this story: Ali is speaking to a large audience of students at Harvard.  Someone calls out: "Give us a poem!"  On the spot, Ali gives us the shortest, but deepest, effort: "Me, we."

Beautiful.

It's Difficult

 

Whenever I see a talking head or a celebrity on TV refer to “my mother,”  I smile.  Yes, we’re out here in audience-land.  Maybe on the downslope, but still capable of some influence.

Athletes are a special lot.  They credit their moms with saving their lives and are busy buying them houses when they cash the bonus check.  Bravo!

How should I feel about Pete Hegseth’s mother?  (First, she looks gorgeous!)  She wrote a scathing note to Pete several years ago and is now being called upon to disavow her beliefs.  She agreed to walk through the halls of Congress hand-in-hand with her tarnished son as he seeks a position in Trump’s cabinet. 

My instinct is to not be too hard on her.  Same with Biden pardoning his son.  Sometimes parents find themselves with difficult children.  I’m ready to leave it at that.