Superlatives Got Bruises?

Superlatives   Got bruises?

     I used to cut all of the bruises off…even if the banana had only the tiniest blemish, it would have to go…and if there were any burnt flakes in the cereal bowl… well, those would be removed immediately. We simply could not have any imperfections in the morning breakfast. No, no, no, that just would not do.
    
      But that was then…and this is now. I have a bruise on my leg and one on my elbow. I got those when I was out in the yard with my daughter. I have a rather large scar on my eye. I got that when the bungee cord holding my bike in the trunk let go. It healed eventually.  I have a big scar on my left knee from a big cut I got on a girl scout outing back in the third grade. I remember it well. The outing, that is…not the cut or the stitches that sewed my knee back together. But the scar is a reminder of that time.

     What of the bruises on one's heart? I have had a few. When my cat, Pepper, died, that caused a bruise of sorts. When my oldest daughter first told me she hated me, that was a big bruise. And when my grandmother died…well, I think that was the first time my heart truly broke. It has been broken a few more times since then but it heals and I think it gets a little bigger every time. That corny old line about there being “more room in a broken heart”…I think it’s true. And all of those bruises, bumps and breaks, they are bittersweet…they are there, I'd like to think, because we allow ourselves to feel something for a place or a situation or a person. It shows that we are willing to take risks...risks that may ultimately disappoint or hurt us but could also hold amazing opportunities and afford us spectacular results. One never knows the outcome until it unfolds and should you never take a chance you many never experience life to the fullest.  And isn't there a song with the lyrics, "scars are souvenirs you never lose" ?  I like that one...and who says you can't find wisdom on the pop charts?

     And how about Lucille Ball's statement, "I'd rather regret the things I have done than the things that I haven't." Or "People seldom do what they believe in. They do what is convenient, then repent" , that one is from Bob Dylan. And this one is my new favorite: "If you're going to do something tonight that you'll be sorry for in the morning, sleep late."  You gotta love Henny Youngman!

     I think about those of us who step lightly and go through life holding back for fear of the results. They may escape that bump or bruise...their heart remains intact. But they may also never know the feeling of winning the lottery...or riding the biggest roller coaster...or singing in your first voice contest...or really falling in love. For them I saved one of the best pieces of advice, thanks to Eleanor Roosevelt, "Do one thing every day that scares you."

    I may tend to lead with my swollen, beaten heart but I'm glad that I do.  I don’t regret any of the bumps and bruises...not at all.  In fact, I look forward to my next scrape or break, because, I am pretty confident that whatever the situation, I had fun doing whatever it was that caused it and I will bear the scar proudly.  

Superlatives To Love Somebody

Superlatives   To Love Somebody

           When I was about thirteen years old, I had a dream that I was married to one of the Bee Gees. It may seem silly but it was a powerful dream and one that I have never forgotten. The Bee Gees  were at the height of their Saturday Night Fever mega-stardom, selling millions of records and performing at sold out shows worldwide. And I was a proud member of their fan club. I still have my original Bee Gees necklace, fan club portfolio and the ticket stub from my very first Bee Gees concert in 1979. It was only the second concert I had ever attended.  My first concert having been their younger brother Andy's show, the year before. Just keeping it all in the family!

            After starting high school, I continued enjoying the music of the Brothers Gibb. I started trolling used records stores, collecting all of their older recordings from the 1960s. While my fellow teens were moving on to artists like Queen, Pink Floyd, Blondie and Michael Jackson, I was still listening to my Bee Gees. Songs like Massachusetts, I Started a Joke and  I've Got to Get a Message to You were my songs of choice.  I was often teased about my obsession but that didn't stop me from loving their music. And when they ever decided to appear in the deliciously bad movie Sergeant Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band... well, that was just Too Much Heaven! Eventually, I just learned to love them quietly to avoid the torture.            

            During the late 1980's when the disco backlash was in full swing it was a tough time to be a Gibb fan. But, I remained loyal. I knew there was so much more to them than just disco and after all, they had always been there for me.  When my grandmother passed away, the only thing that made me feel better was listening to Bee Gee music. I do credit them with helping me through that very difficult time. And their songs were still so beautiful... and I saw them in concert the summer of 1989 as well.          

            Jumping ahead to 1993, I learned of a Bee Gees appearance at  a small venue in Atlanta, not far from my Aunt's home. I hadn't seen them for a few  years so  I decided to go to the show. Dragging a cousin of mine along  we went early and waited near the stage door to see if we could meet them.  Lucky for me, my cousin was very outspoken and before I knew it she had grabbed my camera and I was standing next to Robin Gibb! While she got the picture,  I was so star struck that I don't think I said anything... well,  nothing intelligent.  I floated into the hall and enjoyed the show from the front row!  Thanks to my long standing membership in their fan club, I got tickets to the next show two days later which was filmed for VH1 in Orlando. This is where it gets  good.

            I arrived at Universal Studios and went immediately to the hall where the performance was to take place. I waited by the entrance to the sound stage until someone  came along. I simply asked to be let inside, and a kind young woman unlocked the door for me. I was in! I got to meet and talk with all three brothers, Barry, Maurice and my favorite, Robin.  I was invited to return for the show that evening and was put on their guest list. This allowed me to enter early so I was able to be in the front row, yet again! In some of the Youtube videos from that concert  I can locate myself in the crowd, but you  really gotta know where to look.  But wait! There's more!

            Leaping forward  to 1997, the Brothers would be appearing in NYC at the Today Show summer concerts. I took my young daughters along and we managed to locate someone,  who knew someone,  who knew someone who let us backstage. This time I got a picture with both my daughters and all three Bee Gees. Then we were allowed to stand in the front row while they played a short set of songs. Being a pretty good amateur photographer  I got a whole series of amazing photographs that ended up in several of the fan club publications. But it gets even better. I networked my way into working on a project with their sound manager and that led to another trip to NYC  that fall for several  promotional appearances and lots of photographs. I was lucky enough to meet all of their wives and some of their children. These amazingly talented people were  very down to earth and incredibly nice. And the icing on the cake was their Las Vegas One Night Only concert later that fall. I was invited to attend the rehearsal  a few days ahead of the concert at the MGM Grand hotel. I was one of only about 300 people in attendance. I couldn't believe my luck! And if you get a chance to see the video of that concert...watch all the way to the end just as the credits begin...and I am in it!!  Oh and the Bee Gees sing a whole bunch of great songs, too!

            Sadly, early in 2003, Maurice Gibb died suddenly leaving me shocked and in disbelief. The Maurice I had come to know was the most outgoing, most friendly and frankly the most "full of life" of the three brothers. He was definitely the comic relief for their group and his death basically ended the Bee Gees performing days.  It was some time before I could listen to Bee Gee music without tearing up.

            Looking back, I feel so very blessed to have had the chance to meet and get to know the brothers a little. To have shared my photographs in their fan newsletters and to have seen so many wonderful concerts has brought so much joy to my life and I will be eternally grateful to them for sharing their amazing voices with the world. Next week to mark the 100th anniversary of the sinking of the Titanic, the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra  will perform the Titanic Requiem, the first classical piece written by Robin Gibb.  Robin, along with his son, RJ Gibb, wrote this classical symphony over the last year while battling cancer.  And he sings on the beautiful ballad  Don't Cry Alone with an unmistakable voice that is stronger than ever.... "don't you ever doubt me...I'll be there for you forever...yes, Robin...I know you will...

April 5, 2012