On Tuesdays, Two Writing Teachers hosts the Slice of Life. Everyone is welcome to share writing and comment on others in this special community.
On Saturday. night, I was in New York City and went to see The Queen of Versailles. Until this show became the group choice, I didn't know a whole lot about the plot. It's based on the documentary about the Siegel family who were hit hard by the economic crash in 2008. To be honest, the premise hit a little close to home (pun intended) because, as a builder's wife, I was also hit hard in 2008. (Another story for another day.)
All that being said, I'm 58. My one little word for 2025 has been heal, and I've had "old people" surgeries this year, including the removal of a toe cyst and a knee replacement. I've found myself avoiding activities I used to like doing because of the potential for pain or injury, and this tendency is a symptom of getting old, according to my wise (and older) sister in law.
Before the play started, we had time to reader some of the bios. Kristin Chenoweth played the lead, and I already knew she was about my age (okay, a smidgeon younger), but I had not considered the fact that her character was married to a much older man.
"Mom," Larkin said. "This is the old man from White Lotus."
We googled him, and it turns out that F. Murray Abraham has been in a lot more than White Lotus. It also turns out that he recently celebrated his 86th birthday. Let me repeat that. He just celebrated his 86th birthday.
He sang. He danced. He remembered his lines.
The Queen of Versailles had some good lines, some funny moments, and some emotional scenes. I definitely left the theater with curiosity about the Siegels and the references to some rocky historical moments. But I also left that theater with a renewed commitment to fight getting old. I won't be strutting around in the high heels that Kristin Chenoweth wears (but I've got three inches on her if she's really 4'11" as reported on the internet), but damn, do Kristin and Murray show what's possible for the AARP set!
First, I love that you got to a Broadway show with Larkin!! So fun!! Then I love that your one take-away is that at any age, we need to keep moving!! I just turned 62 and was happily moving around the playground and the children's museum with my Aden and Luca. A weekend with them has me happily returning to my exercise routine. Yes, we got to keep moving at every age!!
ReplyDeleteHmm...last comment was from Sally. Not sure it I told you that!
ReplyDeleteMelanie, I have not yet seen the play, but I like the premise as that 2008 crash was a biggie that impacted MANY people including MANY in my mostly middle class school district. Yet, your take away about stemming the tides of aging hits really close to home for me, today. I'm older than you and Chenoweth, but younger than Abraham. I'm still teaching, part time, but also "addicted" to aquacise to the point where I try to make a class almost every day. I even recently got certified as an aqua teacher in spite of the fact that my FIRST exercise class of any kind was well after my 60th birthday. I still hurt every morning, some place, but I am SURE keeping active with whatever works for you is an important factor in aging well. Find a pool. We are a welcoming community!
ReplyDeleteF. Murray Abraham is 86! I loved him in Amadeus! I now refer to myself as "the old girl" to my students since I'll be 70 in April. I say - embrace age, and rebel against invisibility!
ReplyDeleteThis was a perfect slice for me to read today. I am also 58, and just this morning was walking and talking with a friend. Some of our conversation centered about aging. I mentioned to her that I'm a little less sanguine about engaging in activities that involve the possibility of falling or injury these days. We laughed that the mantra "Well, it could be worse!" seems to be a part of the aging process.
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