Monday Morning Musings:
“Looking back, seeing far, landing right where we are
And oh, you’re aging, oh and I am aging,
Oh, aren’t we aging well?”
–Dar Williams, “You’re Aging Well”
“I am the ghost of Christmas Present,” said the Spirit. “Look upon me.”
–Charles Dickens, A Christmas Carol
On my sixtieth birthday, I wake,
and I feel fine,
the same as did when I was fifty-nine.
I’m Merril the same as I have always been
with the calm certainty that I am me,
and this is forever who I will be.
Celebrations take place over several days,
(like a Jewish holiday, you know)
each one with food and wine,
and I feel fine.
First my husband and I go to Monk’s Café
we’re bundled against the cold night
but still I appreciate the Christmas lights
as we scurry from our car to there
breathing bursts of frosty air
till we’re seated at a window table where we watch people
rushing and bustling, walking dogs of every size
we’re in a bit of a hurry,
as we have tickets to a show,
so we forego their famous mussels, but not the fries,
I have a glass of wine, and I feel fine.

Pommes frite at Monk’s Cafe
The show is called The Carols,
set in a VFW Hall in New Jersey,
it’s 1944, the men are gone because of the war,
heartfelt, if not brilliant,
but their voices beautiful
much more than suitable,
there are Yiddish phrases and 1940’s slang.
We laugh though the jokes are old,
it’s kind of sweet, and we are sold,
the retelling of A Christmas Carol
with a Christmas brisket is very funny,
(and well worth the money),
and the Christmas tale, the Yiddish shtick,
the sister love, the examples of
reminds me of my family, too,
and all the silly things we do,
the ghosts of Christmases, past, present, and future
combine in memory,
aged in my mind, and I feel fine.
The next night, my husband and I see La La Land
like an old-fashioned musical
the stars sing and dance amidst the stars,
there is jazz and heartbreak,
snappy rhythms, and we hear the beat,
not of Forty-Second Street,
but of Los Angeles,
City of Angels, City of Stars
shining just for them.
We discuss the movie over Indian food,
I am in complete movie musical mood,
So when my husband says, “It was a Merril movie,”
he is right, and I feel fine.
(And the onion bhajia are divine.)
Another celebration, another day,
with one daughter and sisters,
more food and wine,
more talk and laughter,
and it could go on forever after.
One sister brings some funny headwear,
and we take photos in the restaurant,
when I try on a hat
another says,
“You look so cute. Like a pirate. A pirate baker.”
We laugh because it’s all so silly,
but in these uncertain times, we run willy-nilly
and seek shelter in our love and family jokes,
these are the people I love, my folks,
and they give me the gift of their time–
and cheese, and chocolate, and some wine,
and yes, indeed, I do feel fine.

At Tria Cafe Rittenhouse for my 60th birthday celebration.
Afterwards, my daughter and I walk to the Christmas Village,
she’s not seen it, and she snaps a selfie
with us in our silly hats–
and I think we’re wealthy,
my daughter and I to share this love and bond
that goes so far, and much beyond,
and later I read the poem she has written me,
cry a bit, at the beauty
of feelings that she has, and lets me see.
My other daughter sends me a text
that the end of the Sound of Music seems too real,
and it makes me sad to hear such fear,
and though we must fight, and though we ache,
still, there’s much to celebrate,
to climb every mountain and ford every spring
to find our dreams,
yet I think we are right where we are
and we are aging well,
though only time will tell.
And so, with family and friends,
I’ll hold on to love,
I’ll fit it closely like a glove,
and stare defiantly at fate,
raise a glass of blood-red wine
and tell the world, that I feel fine.

Birthday card
It is rumored that more celebrating is on the way, so stay tuned!
Here is Dar Williams singing “You’re Aging Well.”
Outstanding poem, Merril. Many happy birthdays to you. 🙂
Thank you very much! 🙂
Dear birthday girl, I don’t associate you with aging, but so be it: you are entering a wonderful decade with a poem from your daughter in hand, the joys of music & theatre and FAMILY, a thread that runs true through all of your Monday poets.
I love the silly hats and festive food. You feel fine because you ARE fine, Merril! Here’s to many more burfdays!
Thank you so much for your very kind thoughts and wishes, Marian!
And for the record–I don’t think you will ever age!
🙂
Happy Happy Merril! Such exuberance! You see, sixty is splendiferous! There was sweet music in the poem!
Aww–thank you, Susan! 🙂
How lovely to read this, Merril. As ever. Fun, poignant, timely. Real. Just like you.
If you enjoy your 60s half as much as I’ve enjoyed mine, you’ll be doing just fine. (Still)
Thank you very much, Janet. 🙂
Happy Birthday! And many more. Looks like a wonderful celebratory weekend. (K)
Thanks, Kerfe. It was fun. I still have a celebration with our other daughter coming up. 🙂
The more celebrations the better!
🙂
I really love this–not just the content, but the structure, too, with the repetition of “I feel fine.” Really nicely done!!!
Thank you so much, Luanne!
It was such a good writing choice.
🙂
You and your family do celebrate well. Happy Birthday
We do. Thank you, Derrick. 🙂
Wonderful poem, Merril. Happy, Happy Birthday! I love the way you celebrate — with family, with food, with art. You are indeed ageing well. 🙂
Thank you so much, Robin! 🙂
It sounds like you had a splendid birthday weekend. Happiness to you!
(Isn’t family wonderful?)
Thank you, Ken. Yes, indeed! 🙂
Happy Birthday Merril 🙂 🎁🎷🎂1956 was a great year (my year too 🙂
Thanks, Janice! 🙂
happy, Happy, HAPPY birthday to YOU! 🙂
Thank you so much, Laurie!
What a wonderful celebratory poem. Happy Brithday, Merril. Yes, WE FEEL FINE, because we are forever young in all the ways that matter: love, family, faith in ourselves and those we love, the ability to write poetry and stories that prove that… WE ARE FINE. ❤
Thank you so much, Pam. Yes, you are right! 🙂
A belated birthday and a thank you to you for when I turn the tide next year.
Looking more my age than you do I should add. The one drawback from birthdays until very recently where I looked younger than my years.
Thank you very much, Lorraine.
I looked much younger than my age for many years, I think, but now it’s all catching up. 🙂
Not at all! I looked at least 10 years or more younger than my age, but now folks think I’m older than I am.
So, you have a long way to go to look 60! Believe me tottering at 59!
Hahaha. OK. Thank you for the compliment.
Loved the poignancy, acceptance of age, and fierce devotion to all whom you love. Happy brithday, Merril. Your spirit keeps you young in heart as you enter your jubilación. A blessed time even in a tumultuous and dangerous age.
This has been a busy week that was, for me. I applaud your special party goers for bringing silly hats, to celebrate your sixtieth birthday, Merril. It makes it even more fun to remember childish trinkets or rituals that made parties feel so giddy and young! I am a year older so don’t worry, this will be a happy and fine year. You have a complete life, no holes or repairs needed.
Hope it is a lovely holiday season and enjoy your birthday celebration with your other daughter, Merril! xo
Thank you very much, Robin! I appreciate your comments and warm wishes!