« July 2010 | Main | March 2011 »
January 06, 2011
So Long, And Thanks for All the Fish
A friend recently started reading The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy for the first time, which reminded me of the above title. I read the series several times as a teenager, but don't remember much past 42 and a deep desire to see the entire BBC TV series. [OMG! It's available and less than $20!] Plus, the audio series is also available(!)
Back to my original thought.
This week, I've seen adorable new baby pictures and traveled with a pregnant mother of twins to the hospital. And I was reminded that a year ago, my Bat Mitzvah tutor died. She was only a year older than me, and shared my love of Dirty Dancing. (Actually, I think she introduced me to obsessing over it.) It's hard to know what to say when someone passes before the age of 40.
Which reminds me of Katie, who passed a few years ago. The BDOC of my sophomore year. And Matthew, the gentle giant who introduced me to my first boyfriend and passed following a terrible accident during high school. And Rabbi Tucker, who took his own life, unable to face his mortal transgressions.
I remember people who passed before their time differently from those who lived long and prospered. With some, I felt great personal responsibility which took years to overcome. With others, profound sadness over a life shattered, families torn asunder. Every time I read about the temple of my youth, I wonder how my Confirmation Rabbi's wife and children are doing.
I am so blessed to be surrounded by people who love me and support me. Who knew I'd find my soulmate, re-engage my Jewish spirituality, and become engaged to a nice Chinese boy?
In the face of all the real issues we face in life, why in the world did I waste my time watching Somewhere? It's very clear to me: Frank Bruni's immensely engaging article on Elle Fanning in the NY Times Magazine. And now it looks like maybe I should read about her in Vanity Fair as well.
Guess that's how the cookie crumbles. Some make it to the next day of their lives. Some pass on too soon. For now, it's time for me to join Minerva in the sweet land of dreams.
Posted by cj at 11:09 PM | Comments (0)