“My, wasn’t life awful - and wonderful.” ~Mrs. Soames, Act III, Our Town by Thornton Wilder
I began CeCe’s Musings in the spring of 2021. We had just received our first Covid shots, but the virus was still spreading. My writing was stagnating and getting on Substack helped me boost it along. I mused about masks and vaccines and remaining joyful in a scary world.
As the virus slowed, my writing was semi-regular, often inspired by quotes from podcasts and books. These random musings were odes to grief or memories or daily delights.
Writing is one of these delights. It is a hobby, not a profession. It’s my therapy, a place to work out what’s pin balling through my kooky brain. I have a few paid subscribers, which I am humbled by, but it’s not a goal to monetize my Substack. I appreciate my readers, especially the few who comment they’re inspired by my posts. If just one reader writes to tell me my words touched her, I am humbled and also proud of what I can offer to others.
2025 began on a rocky course and is constantly veering beyond the lanes. Terror one moment, next a bit of peace, but then thick fog rolls in and makes itself comfortable. Meditation and long walks help. So do long chats with friends as we attempt to make sense of the craziness.
Navigating post midlife gifts its own set of challenges. Relationships with siblings, surviving parents, adult children, grandchildren, and friends confound us. We worry about money. Every time we forget a name, we’re convinced Alzheimer’s has found us. Doctors’ visits are more frequent. Everyone we know is going through something hard, whether it is a sudden death or a devastating diagnosis. Life is heavy.
Yet, with age comes freedom. We no longer care about superficial things. We’re learning to let go of, well, almost everything. It is an amazing feeling, a relief, this entry into post middle age. Life is lighter.
With all of this in play, the name CeCe’s Musings doesn’t fit any longer. I’m more concerned with the dailies, the things we push through and that which makes us dance. Life is a playlist of bittersweet symphonies. The gentle harmonies give pause. The buzz brings rushes of memories. The quiet notes prompt grace. Our lives are both bitter and sweet at the same moment. Awful and wonderful. A swirling of opposing emotions grabbing our hearts. Life things.
So, Life Things it is, the new name of my Substack. The pondering of life, what we are given, what we endure, and what we decide to discard. The not surrendering to hopelessness. The fight for dignity. The attempt to block the noise of our monkey minds. Joy as a form of resistance. The journey. A reflection as the light dims but is not yet extinguished.
Sad things. Happy things. Little things. Momentous things. Magical things.
Life Things.
While recently walking the hills of San Francisco, misty fog and moss on a street sign reminded me beauty is everywhere. I might as well enjoy the ride.
“Any fool can do it.”
“The secret of life is enjoying the passage of time.
Any fool can do it, there ain't nothing to it.
Nobody knows how we got to the top of the hill.
But since we're on our way down, we might as well enjoy the ride.”
`Secret O’ Life by James Taylor
Life Things is a reader-supported publication and will always be free to all who wish to read my rambling words. I also am honored and humbled if you monetarily support my writing. Thank you.
Love your new name and enjoy reading what's on your mind. Also appreciate your courage to put your thoughts "out there" for all of the world to see. Keep it coming.