dancing through the darkness
Busy days. Winterizing, still recovering, trying to keep up with it all. Second last U of T class Tuesday — spectacular, a great group. Before class, my handyman came to fix some plumbing and had to drive to Home Depot, so I went along gladly, thrilled to stock up on bulky, heavy things hard to carry on the bike. Including a lot of multi-coloured Xmas lights that Doug and I strung in the forsythia. We’re looking mighty Xmassy at 308, for once. Colour and light especially needed this year.
On Wednesday, to see Assembly Hall, the latest dance/drama from Vancouver’s brilliant Crystal Pite and Jonathon Young. A few technical glitches, but mostly — the best dancers anywhere in the world, in a strange, hilarious story with soundtrack of taped voices, a meeting in a school gym that evolves into role-play and God knows what else. Hard to follow but who cares, the dancing was phenomenal and the minds and talents behind it all unbeatable.
Last night, my home class Xmas potluck party, eight wonderful writers who have become more than friends, they’re family. Feasting, drinking, reading and critiquing stories by the fire — could an evening be better spent?
Tonight, seeing The Nutcracker as a guest of my friend Eleanor. I’ve never seen it, or perhaps I did as a child but not in decades. Looking forward to the music. Two dance events this week, more than in the entire rest of the year.
On Saturday I’m reading in the yearly CNFC webinar that helps writers who’ve published that year celebrate their work. I’ll get to share a story from Midlife Solo and hear what my colleagues have put out into the world.
And then things settle a bit. Well, not that much, with Xmas looming. Next Wednesday afternoon I’m teaching a free memoir writing workshop at my beloved YMCA.
On Thursday my dear ex-husband arrives to spend five days staying here at the house, and we’ll set off that night to watch the boys’ Xmas concert at their school. Imagine, over three decades since our divorce, and we’ll have the great pleasure of sitting together to watch our grandsons sing. A blessing.
And then, almost nothing on the agenda except Xmas. Thank God. Well, “except Xmas” — as we know, actually a ton of work.
Sometimes it feels wrong to be comfortable and warm with so many suffering, not just on the other side of the planet, but here. I give what I can and try to be kind. At this particularly dark time on earth, may we, with our spirit of the season, help bring warmth and light to our own small corner of the world. Keep on, my friends.
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