Life is a Banquet!

Auntie Mame (play by Patrick Dennis) declared, "Live, live, live. Life is a Banquet, and most poor suckers are starving to death!" No matter what challenges Mame faced, she always came out on top. An independently wealthy woman, she became destitute in the 1929 stock market crash. She, the nephew she was raising, her housekeeper and butler stayed together through thick and thin like a family. Mame found jobs (she had never worked before) with determination but no success. Yet, she never gave up and motivated her little family to survive the depression. She met and married a wealthy oil man, who took her on a trip around the world on a honeymoon. After he plunged to his death in the Alps, she came home to New York and her little family and friends to write her memoirs. The story is full of subtle humor, a few good slapstick bits, and so much warmth! The current economic climate reminded me of Auntie Mame. I find that life is, indeed, a banquet.

Conversations with family, friends and neighbors these days nearly always include discussions about the economic pinch we all feel. I see more people out walking with their children and dogs, riding bikes, playing lawn games and grilling out in the yard. House parties seem to be more popular these days. Many families choose to have dinner at home more often. There are free book discussion groups at libraries, knitting groups, and so much more. It seems to me that the local papers, community centers, churches and neighborhood bulletin boards contain more ads for these activities than I have seen in many, many years. Could this be a good side effect of an economic downturn? Think about it. Two or three years ago, people seemed too busy to take family walks, ride bikes with the kids, go to book groups, etc. People are discovering their life's banquet.

Certainly, there are those in such dire straits that they have to move their families, etc. My wish is that they rebuild their lives and find their banquet. Then, there are the folks who choose (yes, I said choose) to isolate themselves and allow the pity fairy to visit. They see only doom and gloom. These are the people who are "starving to death" as Mame said.

I sit here composing this post with a pen and paper next to me where I keep a list of things to do (for fun), people to call or visit, as well as groups I meet with. I find contact with people of different ages and backgrounds to be enriching. I may be feeling the money squeeze, but I do not deny myself the banquet of life.

Are you an Auntie Mame or an isolated doomsayer? As the saying goes, is your glass half full or half empty? Take time today to think about the banquet your life has for you!