Turning Sixty – or as Patti Smith says, Fuck the clock

For months I had a feeling of dread, shit I’m turning sixty (Oct 7th) and where am I in life?  What have I done?  But my new job is demanding, learning new services and capabilities, working with a new manager and enjoying the new culture, but all of this has kept me away from getting too deep with the sixty milestone.    

My routine is the same, still writing – fiction – finishing the last novel.  Writing Charles Plymell biography and poems when the inspiration strikes.  I’m going to the gym more often and have noticed the change.  Running, twice a week on a good week, three times, and reading as much as possible.  But it’s the work that has taken my time.

Meli and I had lunch with some friends in Northport a few weeks ago, and both are in their seventies, you would not believe it, they are active, traveling around the world. My friend’s wife said, sixty is the new forty and of course it’s just a number.  I am grateful for where I am in life.  Meli and I have a good life in Bethlehem with friends and yesterday, my two oldest daughters drove up from Long Island to visit and brought a card and a book on bridges in Pennsylvania.   We walked around Easton and were amazed at the amount of protestors, no more kings demonstration, one truck with Trump flags, but it was a warm and peaceful day. We watched when they drove back as they passed us on 378 and we waved and I wished they’d visit more often.  As I wrote, I am grateful.  Had dinner with local friends at our favorite Mexican restaurant last night and made it home at a decent hour.  Watched most of Al Pacino in Scarface, why did they have an Italian acting in the part?  It wasn’t necessary. 

Emma is married, there was a lovely celebration on October 5^th – it was a warm Sunday like today, it’s 73 degrees outside.  Matt, my son-in-law brought tears to most of us, yeah me included during his declaration of intent.  He was weeping when Ali and I brought Em down the aisle.   We danced with Em during the Stevie Wonder song, Isn’t She Lovely which we heard when Ali was getting a sonogram – expecting Emma Tess. 

The air conditioner is packed away and we’re taking out our warm clothes.  Yet, I can go outside and take in the sun, instead I am jotting down some thoughts.

Thank you for reading this.

MG

Krishna Das in NYC and talking to my kids about getting married...again

11/9/19 21:47 East Northport, NY

What a day.  From picking up Lou and Cheri and driving into the city to see Krishna Das earlier today.  I know my bro so well.  We had made plans, I’ll pick him and Cheri up at 10:00 and we will drive into the city.  It was cheaper and faster than taking the bus.  I know him.  There was a text at 0800 and then the call I was expecting.  It was at 9:00.  Did you check Waze for how long it will take? He asked.  No, but I figured I’ll turn it on when I get to your house.  I knew he wanted to leave earlier, this was the reason for the call.  Even Cheri told me later that she asked him not to call me.  But here he was. I told him, I was about to jump onto the shower and I’ll be over as soon as possible.  OK, good he said. And to their credit, my friends sprinted out of their door and we were off to the city.  This was not the typical KD concert which we knew, this was different.  This was Shree Hanumaan Chaaleesaa.  It was a special prayer that should be chanted 100 times in the native language.  For instance, Bala budhi vidyaa dehu mohin harahu kalesa bikaara, which means, “Grant me strength, intelligence and wisdom and remove my impurities and sorrows.”  The event was for three hours.  Most of the leaders were women who had beautiful voices.  The band was incredible.  A holy air reverberated within the old church on West 86^th Street.  Although we botched up the language, we sang with pure hearts. 

I had dinner with Amanda and Joe in Smithtown.  It was an open dialogue, honest conversation.  We discussed what is happening in our lives.  Amanda will fly off to France very soon.  I am heading to Mexico.  Amanda asked how the visa process was for Meli.  I explained how Meli and I have two choices, either a fiancé visa or a spousal visa.  The fiancé visa process is very risky, so I may have to get married out of the country.  Overall, they want to be involved and would like to meet Meli before we get married.  Based on the current immigration policies, this may be a stretch, but I have to say there was no anger.  We had an open and honest chat.  There is still a lot that needs to be processed.  We ended the night with hugs and love, but there is still pain from the past and some fear of the future. 

Thank you for reading this.