December 21st – Lesli’s birthday. That’s what this date has always meant to me, as far back as I can remember. Born 51 days before me, Lesli was the one who first clued me in about Winter Solstice -- that this is the shortest day and longest night of the year. She would have been 46 today. Happy Birthday, Lesli, you angel you! And Merry Solstice, too.Here we are, Lesli and I, circa 1977. Were we not babes? Lesli’s spirit guides my writing of 50 Ways to Leave Your 40s. She, my very first friend in the world, left hers the hard way, succumbing to pancreatic cancer at 44. Lesli showed courage, grace and good humor to the end, and left behind two children, including a daughter the age of my very own, whose 9th birthday I missed in order to rush home to say good-bye.
Lesli’s sunny blond visage peers out at me now, from the wall above my computer, like those team photos in the trophy cases of the movie "Dead Poets Society," whispering “Carpe diem.” Not really something Lesli would say, I don’t suppose. “Shit or get off the pot!” would be more like it. But it comes down to the same thing, doesn’t it? Tick-tock, y’all! What’s gonna be your life’s biggest thing? If you were to get a diagnosis like Lesli’s, what would you do with the time you had left? If you could glimpse your own obituary – hey, you know the day is coming! -- what would it say? Not to be too morbid or anything, but this IS the longest night!
Let your heart guide you as you “Blog Me Back” about “where you’re at” in midlife. Can we agree that your choice to post a response indicates your permission for me to use it (or portions thereof) in my book? If not, you may want to “hold your thought.” One o' these days, I'll develop a permission form for "blog-me-backers" to sign electronically. Until then, consider this a leap of faith -- and be sure to laugh before you leap!
Whether you've come to play or just to watch, I thank you for visiting my blog and for reading this deeply. Spread the word! And do have an extra snuggly night tonight, since it’s sure to be the longest.
Love (and I do mean Love)
Sheila
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