“Good times and bum times, I’ve seen them all and, my dear, I’m still here.”
~ From the Broadway musical, “Follies”
Most of you are aware that December 31st is a double-whammy for us strange ones who also claim that end-of-the-year-ing as their birthdays as well. I’m one of them. And this one’s a biggie for me.
I know age is just a number and blah blah blah. But OMG. Eighty years old???? Really? Of course I’m beyond blessed and grateful—knock on wood—to have reached this mighty juncture to still embrace health and vitality. I pray it lasts wayyy longer and this is just another mountain to climb/dance further and longer on my way back home. Despite all the spite in our world I do so love LIFE.
Have I learned anything on the way?
I believe we all must ask this question as we step back and assess ourselves, especially on our birthdays. What are we learning? What have we learned? How are we different or the very same from who we were when we first began this life journey?
My own inner consensus is that I’ve learned everything and absolutely nothing, and that I’m still basically damn near mostly who I was back then—passionate about animals and nature and fantasy, fairy tales, music, theatre—all of it.
How I wished I could protect everything and everybody.
A mere mortal, I simply cannot save the world. I was always shattered—as I am to this day—by what I had wished life would be and what it is. Why don’t we realize how connected and alike we truly are? I believe this with all my heart.
We’re all ONE. Why in the world can’t we see and be that?
I discovered racism via a “colored” drinking fountain in a 50s gas station. I was ten years old and will never forget the shock I felt then as I do now. My poem then still echoes my heart today:
“Negro, Japanese, Hindu, White. Let’s all be friends and never fight.” Maybe not Pulitzer material but you get the gist.
I discovered the Holocaust and Anne Frank and my beloved Otto Frank when I was twelve years old and it was as transformative then as it is every moment of my life today.
I learned early on that life wasn’t fair, indeed, it was often cruel. I journeyed through many markers that are significant to me that I don’t need to tick off now. You have your own life-markers as well.
In this lifetime so far, I’ve gotten off easy. I have a beautiful loving family, and dear friends like you I so cherish. That’s what gives me hope. Everything I’ve experienced and continue to experience I do believe is what I signed on for. All of it. Good, bad and ugly. This is my path to traverse and learn.
I hope you continue to learn as you go too. Forget the Blame Game. Nobody ever wins in it; trust me I know. This is your deal. Your baggage. Your cross to carry. Your choices. Your vision. Your Earth School Curriculum. Your way to shovel out the shit and nurture your own brand-new abundant garden. And then plant your feet into the earthiness of it all and shout to the Heavens as long as you can with open arms and infinite gratitude:
THANK YOU!!! I’M STILL HERE!!!
Happy New Year, dear ones. Let’s face what’s coming together, remembering why we’re really here. Turn off the scary news. Look away from the monsters. Don’t give them your power or your fear. That’s what they want. So do what you can to make positive changes in your life and in our world, keep on planting Hope, and Be, Give and Receive Love and Light. That’s our purpose. That’s why we’re here. Everything else is b.s. trust this 80-year old.
Now, take my hand and let’s dance up the mountain together!!!!
Cara
x
P.S. If you so choose to donate to a charity for my birthday, I would be deeply honored. Your choice. Anything contributing to saving our beautiful planet, all of nature—from trees to bees, feeding/rescuing/protecting animals, supporting the unhoused, starving children, freeing hostages, fighting for world peace and legions of healers, rescuers, etc., etc. The need for helping all beings has never been greater.
Any little donation means the world to them and to me.
. . . .
“Follies” image by http://www.sondheimguide.com/follies.html; Fair use: https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?curid=8912436
