Has this ever been a summer (heck, a year) of learning.

This summer, I learned the value of having lifelong friends, through good times and bad and everything in between. I loved hanging out with RD and his wife Bonnie before I left for Europe, and then enjoyed one of the best Odysseys ever with Suzanne and Kay. In addition to my family, they are treasures! Add to that my friends on social media, and old classmates and extended family that I’ve reconnected with there, and it really is an embarrassment of riches. I’m grateful for it.

I learned so much about the world this summer; about its beautiful spaces and our effects on them. I met wonderful people and established new friendships. What a blast!

But I’d be lying if I said all the learning was pleasant. It hasn’t been.

Without going into too much detail…I found myself regressing to a place I promised myself I’d never go again: the state of being in constant deference to someone else. Waiting to make decisions, waiting around for a return text or phone call, feeling like I was getting the runaround, repeatedly rearranging my life and schedule for the constantly changing plans…ya no bueno. What was I thinking?

Well, I slapped myself back into reality last night, and yanked back control. No one puts Finky in a corner. So, what did I do about it?

Et voilà — an “Odyssette!” I’ve wanted to see this show for over a decade, and last night, I pulled the trigger. Can’t wait. It’ll be a fun opportunity to not only get some Fabs, but also to visit a place the Thriller dearly loved to go. We visited three times, and each trip was a blast, with lots of memories.

As always, thanks to my sister Mavis for caring for Remy while I goof off by myself out West. I love you, sissy!

Hope you’re all doing well. Take care of you.

Hugs.

Little darlin’, it’s been a long, cold, lonely winter (and spring), but look how happy I am to be back with you again:

Y’know, it’s funny. You think you’ve done pretty well surviving one of the most harrowing tests of your life, and then what does the universe do? Tests you again. And again, and again. Such has been the case over this school year, which, I’m ashamed to say, is thankfully, finally, mercifully over.

Shew.

This year (mostly since my last letter to you back in January) I’ve dealt with suffering colleagues, troubled kids, absolutely rude and uncaring people, a raging narcissist, shady businesses, friends and family in pain, and 16 kinds of bad news. Holy cats — what gives? You’ve been there, too, though, I’m sure. Just keep zig-zagging, right? Dodge them ray gun particle beams so it looks like you’re just dancin’ the Watusi. That’s what I’m doing, because it’s never all testing, testing (even though it sometimes feels like it).

Of course, the bad stuff fades a bit when I think about Odyssey 2019! In nine short days, I’m off. So thankful for my sis Mavis, who will take great care of Remington while I’m gone, and for my sons, who will see to it that the house stays in running order.

Watch this space (or, if you haven’t already, subscribe in the box up there on the right) and I’ll ramble about all things Netherlands, Austria, Germany, Italy, and Slovenia, as well as post some pretty pictures. And I’m going to do my best to forget (or at least file away) the unpleasantness of this year, and concentrate on what’s important: today, and what I can make of it.

Hugs to all my fiends,
RF

When I got to the end of 2018 (specifically, Christmas Eve), I thought, OK. I made it. One year without the Thriller. A year of grieving and learning, and learning to grieve. The day after Christmas, I woke up and took Remy out, stood on the back porch and breathed the cold air. It was a new day; a new era for me. Time to concentrate on being the best me I could be, because that’s what Michael would want.

Then, three days later, I heard that Lisa, my dear friend and partner in crimes against musical theater for the past 19 years, was having a bad week. So I texted her:

Doing the grad party circuit

New Year’s Eve was the Thriller’s and my wedding anniversary. I thought, rather than sit at home and feel sorry for myself, I’d go spend some quality time with my good friend Stoney, since she had no plans.

When I got there, her friend and caregiver answered the door — not Lisa herself. Red flags went up in my mind. She was in bed, unable and unwilling to get up. So I went upstairs, lay in her bed with her, and we laughed and had a nice conversation, although something looked strangely familiar. The only way I can describe it is that there was nothing behind her eyes. Michael had that look as well, when the disease started to overtake his brain as well as his liver and lungs. Dread crept into my heart; I knew, lying there next to her, looking at silly pictures on my phone and making her laugh, that this was the last time I would ever be with her in this world.

Theater dept. selling the basketball tickets

I was right.

On New Year’s Day, she worsened, and then was transported to the hospital, then to a Hospice facility. It all happened so fast. Yesterday morning, she died. She fought metastatic breast cancer for over 20 years, and just kept beating it back. I’m angry that most times, eventually, cancer wins.

Still…I have fantastic memories of a two-decade friendship that brought a ton of laughter, fun, learning and sweetness to my life. Not that we didn’t have struggles, especially in rehearsals. Oh my, the stories I could tell — one of the most famous being during (insert show here — I have no recollection) rehearsal one evening, when she’d had enough with lackluster acting efforts onstage.

Pondering a favorite activity we often shared

We each took turns, it seemed, ranting and raving at our casts to sing out/identify with their character/follow through/remember choreography/try harder/commune with their audience/give a dang, etc. Well, this was her night to go off the rails, and during the tirade, she threw the pencil she was holding — and it hit me right in the face. Ow!! The best part was watching the cast — silent onstage, taking their medicine — trying to decide whether or not to react. Priceless. (Of course, when Stoney laughed and apologized, the tension released and everyone had a laugh at my expense – including me.)

When it was my turn to lose my mind, she found it difficult to not laugh. So she’d look intently at her script and pretend (badly) to take notes or read while I ranted, with the cast totally seeing what was going on, but not daring to smile or react. God love ’em…I respect that. hahahaha

I could write all day about the times we sat in my room or hers, often with a small pizza to share before rehearsals, and talked about life and love and just stuff in general. We shared secrets, dished dirt, laughed (oh my, did we laugh), and talked musical theater for forever. Her love for it was as strong as mine has ever been. The reason it exists at our school traces back to early 2000, when she asked me if I might help her with the music part of a show she wanted to do (Bye Bye Birdie). I said sure, why not? From that day, we were pretty much inseparable.

We drove each other crazy on occasion, and had a couple verbal knock-down-drag-outs, but always hugged and apologized in the end. She was a sweet soul, so undeserving of the beating she took over the years with this hideous disease. I will love and miss her forever.

Of course, she would tell me that hey, the show goes on, no matter what. So I will put on the tap shoes later on this afternoon and start choreographing the production number for the show in March that will be performed entirely in her honor.

Life — as sucky as it sometimes is — goes on, despite the crushing heartbreak of losing a loved one. I’m sure you’ve known that sadness. But, as the Thriller used to say: Onward through the fog! I can’t see what’s next, but one foot goes in front of the other, regardless. Stoney would want it that way, too. I see them both up in heaven, having a laugh at my silliness.

Much love…

Well, here we are.

Hello, fiends — I know it’s been a while. I’d imagine that many of us are in varying stages of rumination/reflection about the past year, and I’m no exception.

I’d be fibbing if I said my 2018 wasn’t a difficult one. It’s taken me a full year to acclimate myself to this new life I never asked for, and I guess I’ll always be in a state of adjustment, as new experiences bring new memories. But at least the memories are fond.  

The new year is already presenting some difficulties, but I am resolved to handle them with all the grace and self-control I can scrape together. How about you?

I’ve generally found that new year’s resolutions put pressure on me I’d rather not self-inflict. So, I’ve generally stayed away from them (except maybe for here, and here, and oh, here). Truthfully, I can’t even think of one I’d like to make that would be “new,” and not a continuation of stuff I’ve already been working on (being kinder to myself, saving more money, losing weight, blah blah…).

So, what to do? Just continue to live as conscientiously and happily as we can, given our circumstances. Hmmm. New Year’s Continuing Resolutions? I like the sound of it. I now own it.

New Year’s Continuing Resolutions©

1. Be kind.
2. Forgive people — even those who neither ask for, nor think they need, forgiveness from you. (This one’s a tuffy.)
3. Eat wisely, but well. Stop stressing over every calorie.
4. Stop being so dang negative about everything, for cripesake. Look for the good.
5. Realize that positive thought and sunny outlook are not gifts for the few; they’re habits worth developing.
6. Pay stuff forward.
7. Learn to say “no” without the obligatory accompanying personal identity crisis.
8. Make plans (to travel!) and practice discipline in saving money to realize them.

Got any to add?

As always, thank you for reading and going on my silly journeys with me. I should write to you more often. It makes me happy!

Much love…

Greetings, all. I know — it’s been quite a while.

I wanted to write to you after the interment ceremony back on 27 April, but I just didn’t have it in me. Not much to say when you’re feeling kind of empty. But the days since have been so full of activity with the school year circling the drain, it didn’t really give me much time to dwell on it. And as I always say, he wouldn’t want me to dwell on it. So I try to honor that, for the Thriller, but…easier said than done, ja?

2015, in the peak of health- a beautiful Aussie specimen

It’s been a spring full of  disappointments, joy, revelations, more life changes, and a handful of mixed emotions. What a crazy, zig-zaggy road it’s been.

Three weeks ago, we lost Pax. He fought a brave battle after suffering an event that kills many dogs outright. I had another wonderful 11 months with him, and I will miss him forever.

I held his face in my hands and kissed his snout as he drifted away peacefully. I hope he sensed me there, talking to him. I have never known a sweeter dog. He loved everyone he met, and so many loved him back. Such a precious soul.

I’ve enjoyed having my four grandsons nearby — what fun!

The Odyssey is 13 days away. I’m très excité. But I confess it’s taking a back burner to my worry about sister Mavis, who’s in the hospital yet again with an infection and pneumonia, following her abdominal surgery last month. As my departure date looms, I get a little more nervous about leaving.

Sometimes, I admit wondering why things just can’t be easier. Then I think of people whose lives are truly difficult, and I’m ashamed to have complained about what many would term an embarrassment of riches: I have a good job, a comfy home, decent health, a loving family, and good friends. What do I have to complain about, seriously? I know — not much. So I’ll quit it, and just concentrate on paying all this forward, in gratitude and servitude, as so many people have shown that same grace to me in word and deed over the last five months.

Good to be back, writing to you. I hope you’re well. Four more days for me, then another school year is in the books. That alone is tap-dance worthy.

Hugs to all.
RF