The Midlife

Watch this, please. From beginning to end.

Last night, I finished watching the series Dead to Me. I won’t spoil anything for you except to say, the ending is brilliant.

It had me thinking a great deal about what it is to be a true friend. A tried and true friend, that is. I’ve often been a keep to myself type of person with loads of acquaintances and very few friends. Dead to Me highlighted the depths we are are willing to go for true friendship – but not just during the cherries and cupcakes times, but in the life is direly poopy and everything seems meaningless moments, too. I have a few friends of those in mind; they know who they are, and they, too, are willing to start the getaway car and pull up, when needed. For them, I say Thank you.

Among my tried and true is my mother. Those in my inner parethesis know she is battling dementia. Last month, she visited with me for a few days from Florida. Our visit was extremely bittersweet. On one level I reveled in the beauty of what is now, our time together reminiscing and laughing. It’s difficult watching someone who once laughed with such ease (I think that is where I get it.), emoting far less. She’s slowed down and tires easily. Yet, I was rewarded by our moments at the casino with the brightness in her eyes and the buzz of the slot machines, as we passed a few stolen moments of pure, ridiculous joy. When it was time for her to return home, I embraced her a bit tighter and for a bit longer. No one knows what the year ahead or even weeks and months will hold.

Going back to Dead to Me, a show that celebrates women, friendship, and the flaws of human beings in the right and wrong places at just the right and wrong times. Christina Applegate is an iconic actress. From her bombshell days on Married with Children to the underrated Jessie, and the wonderful The Sweetest Thing (just to name a few), she’s amazing. With her MS illness, she is slowing down, but her performance in Dead to Me (and especially in the final episodes) are heartbreakingly poignant and hilarious. Until her final curtain call, I’ll be watching and looking forward to her next act.

In closing, I want to send you all virtual hugs. With the holiday season upon us and the varied feelings they all bring, I hope you are embraced by your tried and true. And that you hold them all a bit tighter and for a bit longer. Make it lovely and weird. – C:)