JANUARY 18, MONDAYGREY

January 18, 2016

The grey days.. the gray days.. the days with no sun.. please go away.  Or rain! That would be good.. dump a little moisture on us and make us green again.

Last night I had the pleasure of sitting with about fifty friends of the Coeurage Theatre Company and friends of Steve Julian for a reading of Head Over Heels, a series of mostly monologues read by women, including 'Eve'.. you know.. "that" Eve.. the first woman we are led to believe who popped full blown into the Garden.  Clever writing and terrific performances were preceded by Steve's lovely wife, Felicia Friesema, who has become an expert caretaker, discussing the current situation with her husband' condition.  

The event was a fund raiser.  A dear friend of mine was slightly cynical about the situation and I found myself defending it because I know that even nickels and dimes can help even when insurance is kicking in.  However, the main reason for this event was for the company members and friends and relatives to gather in an artsy setting (Lankershim Arts Center is home to art gallery shows and the Coeurage Theatre Company as well as the Road Theatre).. to hear the play that Steve and Felicia happened to attend when they were first seeing each other some years ago.   The camaraderie was palpable.  The audience was happily responsive.  Felicia read a heart felt message that left us sad and connected. Donations were requested, but, in fact, the evening was more about coming together to celebrate Art and Life.  

That Steve recognizes Felicia only off and on now is a fact. His grasp of words fails as the cancer advances.  That she is steadfast and true is what we should all be to ourselves and to those whom we care about and love.  That we are all on the track to the sunset is a fact. Seeing this family working together on behalf of a really wonderful man is realistic and kind and thoughtful.  

I met Steve as a fan of KPCC/89.3FM where he held forth as the morning man for many years.  We had lunch and chatted.  His play Ribbons of Life came to life in a staged reading for the Hollywood Fringe Festival a couple of years ago, cementing my notion that the guy has a handle on writing a play and I really appreciated that.  I am so sorry that our plan to lunch again and chat will probably not come to pass.  I am enriched by the brief time I've spent with him and his work.  I admire Felicia immensely and really hope that her notes and deep feelings will all be recorded if for no other reason than to maybe help others who may face such difficult circumstances.  

Hold a good thought.

January 18, 2016

michaelsheehan