It's good to take stock every now and then. Like, once a decade? I know someone who only has a birthday party every ten years - he says the other ones aren't worth celebrating. Well, I don't believe that - they're all worth celebrating. In fact, every turn around the sun is a precious gift.
But as I turn 60, this birthday seems like a particular milestone. I will have lived four years longer than my Dad did, who died at age 56. When I was 20, 60 seemed ancient. And approaching this birthday, I've really thought about those I've lost and the time that remains, and about how I want to spend that precious time. Made some changes, will hopefully make more.
I've read that as one ages, you become more truly who you are, or who you were meant to be. But really? What if you were meant to be a loafing bumsky, sitting on a park bench? However, there does seem to be this increasing understanding that time is now shorter than longer, and I guess that's why bucket lists become so popular. I don't really have one (too busy!), but, I did waste an hour thinking about all that has happened to me and my family in the last ten years. It's been quite a ride. Thank you all for being part of my story so far.
Herewith, in random order, are my '50s highlights:
Rode a camel (that really isn't my #1, but it's the first thing I wrote down!)
Had my adult bat mitzvah, and went to Israel for the first time (but still haven't mastered Hebrew!). Learned a Haftorah with unique musical learning aids created by dear Hubby. Studied with David and Hannah and wrote a poem to son.
Performed with the Aeolian Singers, Symphony Nova Scotia Chorus (Messiah, almost Brahms Requiem, Mozart, Beethoven) and sang with Rajaton - all thrilling!
Played a Nun
Lost some dear friends and relatives
Made CDs for/with the Aeolian Singers, Rhapsody Quintet, Halifax Camerata Singers
Travelled a bit - to The Rock (Cape St. Mary's!), Ottawa (can't count how many times any more), PEI (almost can't count), Cape Breton, Montreal, Moncton, Edmonton and Israel again
Saw my daughter-in-law's conversion - moving and tears of joy
Watched our daughter graduate from high school, her undergrad and her graduate degree
Attended my son and daughter-in-law's graduation
Watched my daughter dance en pointe and thrilled to her final piano recital as she got her Grade 9; car-pooled/drove said daughter to umpteen rehearsals, concerts and such.
Saw the Queen with Bobbi, wondered if she got her dress at Laura.
Worked for a ballet company for six years; saw their Anne of GG and took silent credit for suggesting it
Left the book world, joined the professional choir world.
Attended APAP in NYC and saw one of the last performances of the Merce Cunningham Dance Co.
Drove ballet dancers, publishers, actors, writers, pianists, colleagues, violinists, etc. to media events, shows, showcases, launches.
Dug up our backyard and remade it for our son's wedding
Watched with amazement Josh marry his Maria in one of the most joyful, fun, celebratory weddings ever. Had a good hair day.
Survived Hurricane Juan and his little brother Dorian. Gave thanks for lights and heat.
Celebrated by mother's 86th birthday with much joy after she almost left us two years earlier. Saw her pass her driving test, get healthy again and enjoyi(ng) life.
Journeyed with our daughter through a life-threatening illness. Gave thanks for her and her care providers every day.
Slept in Joseph Rotblat's and Mrs. Kindred Jones' bedrooms at Eaton Lodge.
Wondered for ten years what to do with our family home in Pugwash; meanwhile met and reconnected with wonderful new and old Pugwash friends. Gave said home lots of $. All worth it.
Celebrated with family in Pugwash
Celebrated birthdays, anniversaries, new jobs, anything really, that involved good food and drink!
Found new cousins (!) but lost my dear cousin Terry too early. Still processing that, thinking about his life, and wondering what to do with his framed diplomas.
Bid adieu to some long-term friendships
Took thousands of photos and videos
Wrote over 700 media releases (got carpal tunnel to prove it!)
Wrote more than 60 grant applications, mostly successful and raised hundreds of thousands of dollars for the arts in Nova Scotia - yeehaw!
Sold many thousands of dollars of program ads (ugh!)
Booked and managed artists; stopped booking and managing artists
Laughed, cried, drank wine
Attended over 1,500 events, concerts, book launches, film screenings, art openings, plays, concerts, Jewish events, CD launches, etc.
Served on Boards; got off Boards
Gained 20 (?) pounds
Rescued two old prints from a flea market that ended up hanging in a show in the Art Gallery of Nova Scotia
Painted our house red
Got beaten at Scrabble and Chinese Checkers many times by people much smarter than me
Got nominated for awards, won awards, attended awards shows
Started a successful contest for people to win local books, produced Pitch the Publisher and read many fine and some not so fine books
Shopped vintage, "picked," went to auctions, bought and sold "treasures" (more buying than selling)
Saw Hubby through surgery, fainting and negotiating wheelchair and cello.
Complained about students; started a Facebook page about that
Went to Israel again
Proudly watched Hubby play the opening of the new library, dreamed about the old library. Watched Hubby get new library a piano (thanks and farewell to Peggy Corkum).
Lost my dear father-in-law, David, my Dustin Hoffman
Grateful for seeing my mother-in-law three times; learned more about her story, became slightly obsessed about it and genealogy. Made decision to visit Vilna in 2020.
Gave thanks for being able to attend some of the big celebrations/milestones with family members, but realized it's actually the little day-to-day events that I miss more (sushi, coffee, Shabbat dinners...)
Got frozen shoulder, thawed frozen shoulder. Cried with pain. Thanked massage therapists, osteopath and physiotherapists for their healing hands.
Got diagnosed with sleep apnea, developed love-hate relationship with CPAP machine
Said good-bye to Howard Cable
Met Alison
Produced posters, brochures, flyers, ads, a magazine, catalogues, bookmarks, t-shirts and concert programs with very talented designers and editors, all selling and promoting books, music, film, art, Jewish and multicultural events.
Organized photo shoots with wonderful photographers
Advocated for our built heritage, Hubby names me "Patron Saint of Lost Causes."
Said shalom to teachers/Rabbis Eisenberg, Printz, Weiss, Rank and Karlin - I have learned from you all.
TWO GRAND-DAUGHTERS - OMG!!
Helped new music to be born and heard it for the first time.
Worked with many artistic directors and artists and tried to translate their vision from the page to the stage
Said auf wiedersehn to our friends Shirley and Bernhard and so many good meals, conversations, laughs, arguments (politics/Israel). Wrote a poem for B.
Attended what I thought would be a fun victory party for Hilary - it wasn't.
Wrote an original script, loved doing research in Archives, selected readings and images for a show and realized how much more fun creative work is than creating spreadsheets. Decided to apply to King's for Master of Fine Arts in Creative Non-Fiction (gulp).
Got plantar fasciitis; trying to get rid of plantar fasciitis
Spent three years working on a national pipe organ festival - yes, pipe organ!
Had some very good hair days thanks to my dear Paul - more than 25 years his client and I hope friend!
Met daughter's new BF and welcomed him to Nova Scotia
Tried for the third time to organize my synagogue's library - work in progress
Started working for Concerts in Care - bringing music to those who can't get out, paying musicians= win/win!
Said farewell to Mahone Bay Concerts after many years of great summers there, amazing concerts, late night giggles and spending time with my cousin, Ama
Attended Remembrance Day ceremony in Ottawa (lifelong dream!)
Cleaned up my Mum's house with much help from family and friends, round one
Created and attended EMCA classical showcases, so there is something for classical musicians to do there now.
Created a website for classical music in Nova Scotia, had fun writing reviews and interviewing musicians. Made very little $ from it but learned a lot and thankful daughter has not abandoned being my webmaster.
Developed way less tolerance for working with bullies. For bullies in general.
Remembered...
Congratulated daughter-in-law on finishing her Masters and realized that not everything has to be done quickly to be well done
Sang final concerts and church service as a member of the Aeolian Singers after 35 years.
Joined the gym, started walking, took personal wellness classes, signed up for yoga - no results, nothing. Well, more awareness about my health
Saw daughter launch her career, saw son and daughter-in-law movin' on up, proud of them all! and remembered early morning meetings, endless outcome documents and gave thanks for working from home (especially on cold winter mornings).
Saw Alison's beautiful high school graduation
Realized that my future might involve looking back
Filed HST on time - yeah!
Went full-time with my own business; thankful for loyal and ongoing clients.
Sat on juries
Worked for over 94 different arts and culture clients - thank you for trusting me with your art.
Saw Hubby play the cello more times than I could ever count, listened to his students and swelled with pride at his successes, gave thanks that G-d gave me such a supportive. loving, artistic soul, my Beshert. Ok, that one wasn't in random order.
