Music can be such a revelation.
Every August 16, we celebrate Queen Madonna’s birthday; she turned 64 on Tuesday.
I discovered her music in high school in ‘98 and continue to admire her tireless work ethic, tenacity, fearlessness, and advocacy.
Just as she redefined music, it’s interesting to watch her age on her own terms, while centering her life, work and philanthropy around her children.
I loved her recent NYC Pride performance (above) – which included her son!
I turned 40 last year and I want to be as energetic, curious and to keep challenging myself, like M does, in my 60s.
The pandemic reminded me that life is short. We have to seize each invitation in this dance of life.
“Let me whisper in your ear
An invitation to the dance of life.”
– Madonna, “Celebration”
We all have a platform in life.
M uses music to speak up for women’s and LGBTQ rights and to speak against hypocrisy and injustice.
Writing is my outlet. My platform is microscopic compared to hers – but I believe we can all use our gift to create space on the dance floor for others.
“Don’t want to get to the end of my days
Saying I wasn’t amazed.”
Madonna, “Messiah”
As a parent, I celebrate life with and for T.
I embrace life for the ups and downs – and with, and in spite of, the cards we are dealt.
M has said she’s not the best singer and dancer, but she maximized her deck of cards to succeed and to bounce back from setbacks and criticism.
The hubby and I seek to guide T to achieve his potential with the cards he’s dealt.
Legend has it M first arrived at New York City with only $35 in her pockets.
Life is about opening ourselves up to surprises.
Like taking a weekend roadtrip to NYC (above) to catch M’s awe-inspiring Confessions Tour in 2006.
Or in 2011, thanks to a friend, I sat unplanned a few seats away from M at the premiere of her directorial debut, “W.E.,” at the Toronto International Film Festival (below).
As T’s parent, life is about keeping him open to surprise – be it a roadtrip or the call of the wild.
Life is not about the destination – we all end up at the same final finish line, celebrity or not! – it’s about the journey.
So we might as well dance along the way.
As M sang in the opening of her Rebel Heart Tour in 2015 – the last concert we attended (below), six months before T entered our lives: “Never let the fire inside you leave…”
Music can indeed be such a revelation.
M’s music showed me why we should always be inspired.
T continues to teach me that life itself is the greatest inspiration.
Absolutely wonderful
Thanks Gary. 😊
I love that you celebrate Madonna’s birthday and that you refer to her as a queen! She’s such a legend. I agree, it’s been neat to see how much her music and style has evolved over time. That’s amazing that you even took a road trip to NYC to see her on tour! I couldn’t agree more about the importance of having a voice, even if it is teeny tiny, and trying to make this world a better place. It’s definitely a marathon and not a sprint and that it’s all about the journey along the way.
Thanks Linda. We’re fans at home and it’s a way to make a holiday out of something monotonous. 😆 The NYC Roadtrip (really an overnight Greyhound bus) was a lot of fun. Definitely a different and more carefree time!
Loved the video Ab and what fun watching the dancers. A wonderful message to keep life fun and spontaneous. 💕
Thanks Diane. Life is indeed too short to not try to have spontaneous fun every day.
I love this inspiring post!!! And how you always weave your life with T into your stories.
Thank you Vickie! 😊 Our lives are definitely interwoven with the larger universe.
I love how you always draw parallels from the world around you to help you cope and grow. Very inspiring!
Thank you! 😊 Life is definitely the greatest inspiration (like that grand outdoor piano in Israel!).
“Life is not about the destination… it’s about the journey. So we might as well dance along the way.” I love this, Ab. So often we’re too focused on the end goal but we forget to live in the moment along the long path to that goal. I love how you drew comparison between your life now with T and that of Madonna’s. I wouldn’t say I know a lot about her works, but when the music video of Frozen came out, I remember being so mesmerized by its visuals.
Thank you, Bama! So many in great reasons for dance in this, as you call it, amazing world. 😊
Funnily enough, it was the song Frozen and the “Ray of Light” album that it was a part of, in 98 that made me a lifelong fan. I’d go on and on but don’t need to talk your ear off about M. 😆
This is such an uplifting and inspirational post, Ab! I love it – and the lyrics and pictures you’ve included. I love how you share your gift and it’s a beautiful platform for staying open to life’s surprises and maximizing what we have! Beautiful!!
Thank you, Wynne! 😊 And I know and love how you similarly keep yourself open to life’s surprises too. Hope you’re enjoying your vacation and happy Friday!