Monday Morning Musings:
H: We met at nine
M: We met at eight.
H: I was on time.
M: No, you were late.
H: Ah, yes, I remember it well.
We dined with friends
M: We dined alone
H: A tenor sang
M: A baritone
H: Ah, yes, I remember it well.
–Alan Jay Lerner and Frederick Loewe, “I Remember It Well, Gigi (1958)
(You can watch the clip here.)
“With mirth and laughter let old wrinkles come.”
–William Shakespeare, The Merchant of Venice, Act 1, Scene 1
The weekend began, a cancelled flight
a change in plans, arrival not in morning light
but dinner time instead
the arts and crafts afternoon postponed, but summer roll making takes place
dipping rice paper, filling, and rolling; no art or grace
perhaps,
but we like to eat and talk and talk and eat
spicy, hot, crunchy, and sweet,
We say L’chaim, and toast with Sangria,
my girls and their spouses here together
we celebrate good news, now in summer weather
with cats under foot and spirits high
we laugh and talk, and so time flies.
With mirth and laughter
I remember it well.
The next day, for my mom, her birthday party
she’ll be 94, though not as hale, she’s still hearty
coming, too, her cousin S.
They live in the same Philadelphia building, on different floors,
they’ve both lived years, well, let’s say scores.
S. says at her age every birthday is a big one
(She’s just celebrated her 90th, but still ready for more fun.)
My husband and I drive them to my sister’s
our daughters and their spouses are in another car.
We pass a street, and S. recalls, a memory from afar
of a friend of hers that lived there once.
S. says, “They had a drugstore.”
and a husband who thought he was more.
He was not very bright, but rather full of himself,
With mirth and laughter
She remembers him well.
S.compares him to a current political candidate.
He thought he was so great,
he lost his business, a gambling debt
then became a maître d’ at a fancy restaurant
where he put on a fake British accent, no savant
that accent sometimes came, then went.
We pass an apartment house where S. once resided
my mom jumps in, with a remark, decided
a refrigerator S. mentions is like one they had in France.
(Now pause while I digress from rhyme
while Mom and S. discuss this time.)
“Where in France?” asks S.
My mom at first does not remember.
But then with triumph, announces, “Paris.”
“We were never in Paris!” says S.
“I don’t like Paris. It’s a big city like New York.”
“It was Paris,” my mother insists.
“You bought dishes,” says she.
“Oh, you’re right,” S. says. “It was Paris. I bought some dessert plates.”
“You bought a whole set of dishes,” my mom says, “You had them sent.”
“No, I bought some small plates. They tied them in a box with strings
and we carried them.”
Ah yes, they remember it well.
At my sister’s house, we arrive to celebrate
Generations eat, talk, laugh, debate
(Because we love to eat and talk)
We do so, then there’s cake with candles
My young great nephew expertly handles
this carrying it in with proud aplomb
so for cakes, there’s more than one
because we need more birthday fun
My young grandnephew eats his—using both his fork and his hand
(because sometimes life is just so grand)
Then it’s time to share some cards and art
signs of affection, from the heart.

Repeal Hyde Art Project, Megan J. Smith
With mirth and laughter
We remember it well.
There’s a movie of S. with a scene from one “real”
She was young, the movie quite “B”, a clip from the reel.
She tells us the story of how she was a director’s assistant
then became the line coach for actresses not gifted
with brains, as much as beauty, and lines they uttered shifted
or could not be recalled at all.
So S. was given a scene and sits at a desk, but she asked for pay first
no more work without being reimbursed.
My daughter-in-law tell of her analysis of a survey of teenage risky behavior
There are more stories that day, of middle school age problems and dramas
It’s the age, we all agree, nodding daughters and mamas,
Oh yes, we all agree, but they outgrow the drama.
With mirth and laughter
We remember it well.
We head out, S. says it was a lovely party.
(I am glad both my mom and S. are still so hearty)
Then S. says with a laugh
“It makes you want to get another year older, just so you can do it again.”
And so we set out then, set out then, driving in the rain
to take them home from this celebration
with food purchased and packaged in the trunk of the car
which I carry upstairs, thankfully not too far.
A day of stories and celebration–
We may not remember it all, but we remember it well.
“With mirth and laughter let old wrinkles come.”
A very sweet memory, and you captured it well.
Thank you very much!
What a wonderful celebration of life, love and laughter, Merril! You made me feel like I was there. Delightful😊
Aww, thanks, Kathy! 🙂
I feel your delight through the screen this morning, rather like the mirth and laughter in the quirky movie we saw last week: Florence Foster Jenkins
Merril, you need one of those remote gadgets for iPhones so Doug could be in the photo too. We have one in a box somewhere, but I couldn’t find it now to save my life.
Lovely!
Thank you, Marian.
We will see Florence Foster Jenkins, but haven’t done so yet.
My sister’s wife took the photo, and Doug was actually in it, but some people were cut out. It was a spur of the moment thing, as we were leaving.
I love this, Merril. The details of our memories may be sketchy, but if the overall memory is of mirth and fun, what a wonderful life we’ve lived.
Thank you, Carol. That is exactly right and well said. 🙂
Beautifully dome Merril. Your Mom and her cousin must be the grand-dames of their building, probably revered by the other occupants. Sounds like you all had a great time at the celebrations.
xxx Huge Hugs xxx
Thanks so much, David. They actually live in an independent and assisted living building, but I imagine they are among the oldest there. I think everyone did have a great time. Huge hugs back to you!
Wonderful, Merril! Those lyrics always amaze me, and you’ve worked so well with the idea. Maybe what we all remembers are the details of images and the way things made us feel.
Thank you, Luanne.
Of course you would know the song. 🙂
My mom and her cousin are like sisters, and listening to them talk and remember things is so fun and funny.
It does sound fun!!!
Nice.
Like being there.
Thanks, Ken. 🙂
Wonderful party. Thanks for letting us come too! (K)
You’re welcome, Kerfe. I think you would have fit right in. 🙂
I would definitely have enjoyed it!
Aww, what a fun reunion for everyone! And I love how poetically you memorialized it all. (And I love the photos, too! And the looks of those cakes!) ❤
Thanks so much, Rachel! It was fun. 🙂
How charming! Thank you so much in sharing your lovely time with us. What an amazing and beautiful family!! I loved the Gigi clip, as well. 🎵 🎶 🎵 🎶
Awww–thank you, Rose! 🙂
That song always makes me chuckle.
I laughed, too, and then I thought how sweet, but I hope he’s not getting dementia — he forgot everything! 😦
Haha. Yeah, I don’t remember the movie well enough, but I hope not. 🙂
A brilliant, fun, reflection, Merril
Thank you, Derrick!
Just lovely Merril thank you! I’ll remember it well 🙂
Thank you, Susan. 🙂
Merril, it was the funnest party ever… your Ma and I sometimes are like two cats
in a bag, but mostly we accept the other’s recollection of times gone by.
Don’t get around much, don’t drive a car,
travel unaided is rarer by far.
Dwelling with oldies in chair or with cane,
Art Workshop on Wednesdays is keeping us sane.
The best way of coping when life is a bummer
Is to dream of the party you give us in summer.
Love, S.
Thanks for reading. I’m glad you enjoyed the party–and thanks for adding your poetry coda. Love back to you!
This was just so full of life and love and family and cherished memories (no matter how they’re remembered). A joy to read, Merril. 🙂
Thanks so much, Robin! 🙂