Riverbank

Shenandoah River

River banks are the best seat in the house for life’s theater. The ever-changing characters, the dynamic dialogue of earth, wind, and water, the emotions of still pools and raging waves. I love rivers…but I most love my first row seat on the bank.

River’s actors are always changing, sometimes swiftly, other times glacially. The characters inevitably move offstage, carried away, away from my stage but onto someone else’s. How did they come to be in front of me? How long did they travel? How many people had seen them? Did anyone pay attention? If the character was a leaf, I’d imagine a tree, the leaf providing shade for someone or something. Did the shade from the leaf bring joy and comfort?

I know. I know. Crazy, crazy thoughts. I mean, theater of life? Front row seats? Call me Pollyanna.

Tony Bennett passed away a few days ago. I hear his songs in my head, remember his smile, and am thankful for all the music he made, the memories his songs conjure, and the joy he brought to so many. And me, with a front row seat.