I may have mentioned once or one hundred times that I love Linda Eder. Just hours ago, I was fortunate enough to see her live (I mean really see her, just 20 feet away) at Feinstein's, a classic Manhattan night club that feels like stepping into a time warp. In the ladies room, I saw two elderly women with snowy puffs of perfectly coiffed hair, wearing fur coats on this unseasonably warm day. This is the Upper East Side, folks. Steps away from Bloomingdales. A glitz and a ritz away from Madison Avenue.
To be honest, I could not afford this show. And I certainly could not afford the insanely overpriced bottle of Pinot Noir on our table. It was both a surprise and relief when I landed a new writing gig this afternoon AND when I stepped into my boss's office to receive a (very modest) bonus check. Both justified that bottle of wine and my initial splurge.
Tyler and I chatted with the woman sitting at the table next to ours. She had flown from Utah. She had ordered a feast at her table for her and her alone. An appetizer, entree, champagne, dessert. She would not only see this show, but she would see Linda Eder at tomorrow night's show and, again, at the show the night after that.
Suddenly, my 'splurge' did not seem so epic. Later, we wondered if her costly trip was a bit excessive.
I am far too sentimental about music. I cry way too often over a violin. I barely held it together during Linda Eder's rendition of Somewhere Over The Rainbow (Is there no song sadder for a person with too-big dreams?) Maybe that sentimentality is the fault of the novel I am desperate to publish right now. I hang on to old songs. I try to write about once-famous singers. I think finding your singing voice is a coming-of-age tale.
But, I don't know, I am lucky. So very lucky to have what I have. Maybe I'm spending money on the wrong things.
How much would you pay to take a long walk with someone you love on a blue-sky day? Look up a tree? Eat an ice cream cone?
Maybe there is no price too high to listen to a beautiful song. To hear a voice that brings you joy.
