A Fantastick September

Happy September 2012!

In January of 2010, I had the incredible opportunity to direct "The Fantasticks" at FLT. The longest running off Broadway musical, ever. It was a memorable, rewarding experience in so many ways.

 The most memorable song from this show, Try To Remember, now....and likely forevermore, pops up in my mind every September. (Music by Harvey Schmidt and Lyrics by Tom Jones, 1960. Sung on the original cast recording by Jerry Orbach.)

Although the lyrics are obviously from a different time.....the lessons are still  universal. Reminding us to slow down, reminisce, and learn from the past....... and follow.



TRY TO REMEMBER
Try to remember the kind of September
When life was slow and oh, so mellow.
Try to remember the kind of September
When grass was green and grain was yellow.
Try to remember the kind of September
When you were a tender and callow fellow.
Try to remember, and if you remember,
Then follow.

Follow, follow, follow, follow, follow,
Follow, follow, follow, follow.

Try to remember when life was so tender
That no one wept except the willow.
Try to remember when life was so tender
That dreams were kept beside your pillow.
Try to remember when life was so tender
That love was an ember about to billow.
Try to remember, and if you remember,
Then follow.

Follow, follow, follow, follow, follow,
Follow, follow, follow, follow.

Deep in December, it's nice to remember,
Although you know the snow will follow.
Deep in December, it's nice to remember,
Without a hurt the heart is hollow.
Deep in December, it's nice to remember,
The fire of September that made us mellow.
Deep in December, our hearts should remember
And follow.

The more Septembers that pass, the more meaningful this song becomes to me. Experiences that happen from day to day, year to year, September to September.....shape and shadow the backdrop of TODAY.

We all have our struggles. We all have our triumphs.

We all feel the sting of rain on our backs, and the warmth of the Sun on our faces.

I think sometimes, the more scars we carry, the greater our story. The deeper the wounds, the more triumphant when there is evidence of healing.

We learn. We live. But what is the next step? I believe there is potential great value in sharing the stories of our life journey. But to do that we have to be vulnerable. So, that knocks out about 95% of folks. It takes courage and compassion to be transparent. We are so afraid of being judged or rejected or misunderstood, and with good reason. After all, where do you think the majority of our wounds come from? If you guessed "other people", you would be correct. (Thus why 95% of folks will not be open and honest. And really....can you blame them?)

But here is the thing....are we not put here to help one another? There has to be a reason God places us here together, and logic suggests that any force is stronger when multiplied.

I think there is a lesson to be learned here.

We can let the years encapsulate us like layers of paint slathered on an aging piece of furniture,  year after year, to cover the scars and to make everything look picture perfect.

OR, we can allow the years to gently age us, wearing away the gashes and imperfections of life,  until all that is left is a beautifully worn,  sanded, smooth, reflective surface. One that hopefully, when gazed upon, will allow folks to see themselves and be comforted, and maybe even encouraged.

Are you a painter or a sander?  

I think September is a wonderful month to think about that......And if you are in NYC, take time to see "The Fantasticks" on Broadway.....it very well may help you decide which you are.

Until next time, follow, follow, follow....

~Frankly Miss Scarlett