Old friends

So one of my old friends asked me a few days back, how I’ve been getting all my steps every day, even though I’m in so much. (As of course many of us are.)

I told him that among other things, I pace/walk/jog/run to a movie or I turn on music to dance.

The other day, I did both. I watched The Muppet Movie on Disney+ (not a sponsor of my blog)

In its dear and nostalgic way, it largely holds up. The important parts do, anyway.

I have all the joy of childhood in watching that movie.

I can whip through my steps as Kermit and Fozzie sing Moving Right Along, or while Dr. Teeth and the Electric Mayhem sing Can You Picture That?

Fozzie: I don’t how to thank you guys.

Kermit: I don’t know why to thank you guys.

There is something so satisfying about knowing the sound that follows dragonfly ripple.

(Giggles with my sister.)

I can’t watch the opening sequence of the movie within the movie, without remembering watching this with my First Beautiful Niece, when I watched her the day my sister and her husband were packing them all up to move. She was just a peanut then, and when she was less than happy and wanting her mother, we would watch this scene and sing along.

And I would ask her: What does Kermit sing about? Her tiny baby voice would reply clearly and brightly, “Rainbows!”

At no point in my life have I enjoyed Miss Piggy singing, but it’s a small price to pay for all the rest. 😆

And Gonzo – whatever Gonzo is – sings I’m Going To Go Back There Someday so sweetly, so sadly, so longingly. Even as a kid I loved it, and I could not have possibly understood it in the same way then.

Though I recall that of course children do understand longing. For things and places and people… and for places and people that fit.

There’s not
A word yet
For old friends
Who’ve just met
Part heaven, part space
Or have I found my place
You can just visit
But I plan to stay
I’m going to go back there someday.

There is something in the lines that resonate even more to grown-up me. There are people I miss. Across time and distance and the barriers of living.

We can hold on to love
Like invisible strings

And there are people who were destined to be so important, long lost friends, even extended family. (Hello my New Jersey families! And happy birthday, Vinnie! 🎂)

…People who were strangers and colleagues, and then became such good and dear friends.

…People I’ve met on the journeys … Robin and Stella in Ireland, Troy and Deana in Greece, the Asia gang… people who instantly felt like old friends I’d just met.

…And of course S – travel companion, mischief maker and sanity buddy extraordinaire – and our little gang of friends. Some of whom are getting their daily steps with me, just now. More on that later in the week.

Love you guys.

I’m going to go back there someday