The plethora of Vegasland amusements leave me full but not satisfied. Allen Watts refers to this as “all retch and not vomit.” Crude but edifying. But stay with me because things are about to change…

While standing in line for Celine Dion I stumble on my metaphor du jour. 

As if a seasoned F.B.I. agent I noticed the woman standing directly in front of me left the price tag on her garment. There it was, blatantly dangling off the collar of her new red blouse, securely attached by a clear plastic thread. 

I lightly tap her on the shoulder and mention the snafu. 

The minute I said, “Can I pull this off?” I recognized the double meaning.

She laughs and says, “Yes, please.” 

I give it a yank and thank God the plastic gives instead of the blouse. She quickly stuffs the renegade tag in her purse. 

She says, “thank you, I hope you didn’t notice the sale price.”

“Never even looked,” I assure her. (Total lie, it was marked down to $22.99)

We chat it up while we wait for the line to move and yes I totally envision this swanky new halo forming just above me. We part ways at the door (so metaphoric) but she turns and gives me a little wink before blending into the crowd.

Now I have never seen Celine Dion in concert, certainly not at Caesars Palace, with over four thousand people in attendance. As Larry and I get settled into our seats, we share a few pleasantries with the neighbors, and somehow Larry manages to get a selfie of us posted on this gigantic screen next to the stage. My recently erected halo is noticeably absent.

A hush settles over the crowd, the lights dim, as the red velvet curtains dramatically part. Celine magically appears center stage wearing a stunning gold dress. It’s reminiscent of Moses leading his people to freedom, just as dramatic, and marginally hopeful. I wonder where she’ll be taking us. Isn’t this the land of milk and honey?

Celine is belting out “I surrender,” as images of a much younger Celine appear on the screens, along with a few snapshots of her deceased husband, and beloved children. It is an emotional jolt, but then you add an entire orchestra, good lighting, velvet voice, and it’s absolute magic. She has performed over a thousand concerts in Vegas (BOOM). I notice the young girl sitting next to Larry is crying so hard I hand her my napkin. 

When the first song ends, the audience erupts into a thunderous applause, so loud you can barely hear Celine say, “No, let her come up.” 

I’m not sure how to describe what happened next, but this rather drunk woman takes control of the mic, drapes herself around Celine, as three bodyguards close in. I’m trying to decide if this is fake, planned, or totally unexpected?

Celine doesn’t miss a beat, she calls off the guards, holding the woman study she says, “I’m glad you came up on the stage, you wanted to get closer to me.” She looks the lady in the eye, tells her she loves her, and connects with her from the heart. All the while gently moving the women towards the stairs. 

She offers this woman dignity and respect generously bringing the audience into the experience. Audrey Hepburn  says, “People, more than things, have to be restored, renewed, revived, reclaimed, redeemed, never throw out anyone.” What a class act. This is exactly what Bourgeault was alluding to in her book and all I seem to be capable of is removing tags! Brilliant.

The concert was magical. I didn’t want it to end. I feel much the same about life and I believe this is the best kept secret of middle-age. Think of all the emergencies, conflicts, suffering and tags that are out there waiting for us to show up, but this time we get to tackle them with fifty plus years of experience, BOOM.

This year I’m going to leap more, worry less, laugh often, with fewer judgements, less clinging, more tenderness, generosity, compassion, and as if life were an elaborate dessert, I will layer it all with thick, sticky, sweet love, and maybe a sparkler.

Sometimes I get to be the teacher but most often I’m a student of life. So you might be considering as we open the door to 2018, “Can I pull this off?” 

“Begin doing what you want to do now. We are not living in eternity. We have only this moment, sparkling like a star in our hand – and melting like a snowflake.” Sir Francis Bacon. 

I’m Living in the Gap, drop in any time. 


PS. If you want something sweet just click Blessing for a spectacular poem by Carrie Newcomer. 

PSS. Not to brag but in four years I’ll be eligible for discounts on movie tickets, large popcorn, and medium soda. 

PSSS. I might be the only one who finds this significant but included in my prayers today were Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John, along with David, Ralph, Cole, and Tammy. 

PSSSS. It says in Colossians, chapter 3, “clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone…And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity…AND BE THANKFUL.” (I stole this from the PowerPoint of another teacher who totally has her shit together 🙂