The Circle of Life makes my eyes wet

Paul and I attended The Lion King musical at the Des Moines Performing Arts Center last night. It was my third time and Paul's second time to see a production of this show. Oh how I love it!

The first time I saw The Lion King musical was in 2000 with daughter Amy and my sister-in-law Jean Fox and her daughter Margaret - also known as Peg. We were on Broadway - for reals! Peg secured special last minute "single" tickets for us at the Amsterdam Theater. We were all seated near each other, but were not next to any family member.

I only had one tissue - and it was shreds by the end of the show. I was overwhelmed! I was used to the Disney cartoon version of the story and wasn't expecting to feel such emotion. The beautiful music and portrayal of animals characters in the beautiful old restored theater made me weep.

Last night we were in lucky row 13 - good seats where we could see the characters. Some of them come right into the aisle and were very near us. The production was good and little Simba and Nala were adorable. The singers were excellent. And oh that song.

The Circle of Life hits me in the heart. When the new baby lion is held up for all to see - I can't help but think back to calling our parents when our children were born - to tell them of the new little life joining our family. At that time hospitals had real phones - so making calls was a production. Amy and Patrick were born in the evening but Jud was born at 11:30 p.m. - a late call for my folks in Florida!

Mom gave Amy that antique box

On this Mother's Day weekend, I'm a little sad that our children didn't have a chance to get to know my mother better. She passed away from lung cancer (heavy smoker) when Amy was 11 years old and Jud was 8. The memories they do have are few and faded. She was so proud of the whole clan and enjoyed parading them about - in Atlantic and in Florida. Betsy was pregnant with baby David when Mom passed away. He's now a junior in high school.

on the Country Club cart path

After Mom died, Dad did a great job of getting to know his grandchildren. In some ways I believe that because Mom was gone, they were closer to him then they would have been. Dad's friend Kay Harris was very welcoming when any family would visit, baking peanut butter and chocolate pie. Dad liked to drive the kids around in the golf cart at their Atlantic home, a condo perched on the back 9 of the Atlantic Golf and Country Club.

Two years ago my niece Leslie had a baby boy. And so it goes. At one point in the Lion King, Mufasa tells his son that the stars are past kings looking down on us. Somewhere Mom and Dad are smiling down too.

Lyrics:
It's the Circle of Life And it moves us all Through despair and hope Through faith and love Till we find our place On the path unwinding In the Circle The Circle of Life

Circle of Life

My Poolboy and I went to The Lion King last night. My ticket was a gift from the cherubs (I know, wasn't that another great gift? They're getting sooo good at this!).

It was a long week! Had to stay in the Big City through Friday due to a meeting scheduled for that day. And I was a bit down in the mouth (and all other body parts) as early as Tuesday. It was one of those endless cubicle feelings - feeling, yep, sorry for myself. I eat breakfast in the cube, lunch in the cube and don't get off work till it's nearly dark. Pity Party of one - me invited.

I pulled through the week with a little massage therapy (thanks Chris) and self-talk. And talk with Pablo and Amy, and my roomie Joanie. And my Friday meeting went pretty well - at General Mills in Carlisle with those energetic Iowa Waste Exchange folks. And I was soooo looking forward to seeing my honey - he was to pick me up for our date.

It was reminiscent of our dating days - oh so long ago. On Friday night, in Omaha I'd await my loverboy's arrival from Oakland. Paul and I headed downtown, parked in the ramp and walked over to that Brew Pub downtown. We snuck in without reservations for a quick din din. Then to Legend for another beverage - it was so fun catching up on the week's activities and thoughts. He'd had a guy's night - Jeff and Steve went with him to the ISU/Texas game - and shock - no stop at the strip club. Those guys are gettin' old!

Then we headed to the Civic Center, where Paul had a quick coffee before they opened the auditorium. We were way in the back - with extra space around us to spread out. And, Paul brought his good camo binoculars - so I had no trouble seeing faces etc.

The show was as beautiful as I remembered - Amy and I went back in 2000 (hey, 10 years ago!) in NYC with cousin Peg and sis in law Jean Fox. The puppets, songs, set - all fantastic. And I freely admit, by the end, when they sing Circle of Life again, I was ready to blubber. I held my composure though and just leaked a few tears. (Paul admitted that he too teared up). Such an overwhelming time for the senses - and emotion. If you haven't seen it - go!

.5 PMS

So, though my uterus is gone, I've still got one ovary. And that baby is still ticking, according to my symptom-o-meter.

• Chin breaking out
• migraines
• bitchy
• slight depression

So my finely honed Nancy Drew detective skills have kicked in, and I realized I have PMS. It was much easier to figure out in my younger years. 26ish days, cramps and menstruation were all my clues. At least the messy bleeding and cramps are gone.

Other good news? I'm home for the week and it's only Tuesday! And I get to go to breakfast with my homies tomorrow. Hoping the PMS is gone by then.

I am so very pleased that my chillins (children) bought me a Lion King ticket for my bday. Pablo the Poolboy will go with me on January 15th. I got to see that show back in 2000 at the Amsterdam Theater with Amy, my sis-in-law Jean Fox and her daughter Peg. It was so beautiful that I cried at the very beginning - a new world record. Usually I wait until some heart-wrenching part farther into a show. But this was emotionally overwhelming. I can't wait to go again! Thanks to Amy and Jud for their thoughtful gift!