Perspective

I made the decision to continue my education last fall and earn my Masters in Education with a focus on technology. At the time it seemed like a good idea but I gotta tell you, this is kickin my butt a bit! I'm in a class right now that has really challenged me and made me question why I started down this path yet again. To borrow from one of my fav shows, Modern Family, I've been taking a ride on the WAAAAMBULANCE! With everything that has been swirling around me - friends losing parents, friends who are sick or passing etc., who am I to jump on the pity party train? Seriously? It's a class Shelley - get some perspective!

This morning, in what is becoming a smaller circle of friends, we found out that we have lost yet another one of us. Our friend Milt Petritch made his transition around 1:15 AM after many years of health issues. His body could just not take one more procedure, one more failure. Milt was anything but that. He was a vibrant man who loved theater, loved making theater and loved theater people. I shared the stage with him during a production of Kiss Me Kate many years ago as he and the dear Howard Hahn "brushed up their Shakespeare." We had a glorious time that summer laughing and sighing as we waited to see if Milt and Howard would ever get the lyrics and the dance movements correct! We would wait back stage holding our breathe and low and behold THEY DID IT! FINALLY! We all laughed backstage as they both breathed a sigh of relief. What a pair!
Now, Milt and Howard have passed on - months apart. I can only imagine the celebration in heaven that is taking place as Milt makes his entrance. Etel is telling him to "MOVE ON DOWN" while Steven tells him that he could have made that entrance much better and to let him show him how it should be done! Herb is sitting with a drink, waving Milt over with some music he wants to work on later - after drinks. Before you know it, Charlie, the dog walks in saying, "pffff pffff" as Etel says, "See! He's saying FFFFood! Standing by watching, smiling and applauding are all of our parents who have left us but never left our audiences.
Milt, you are one of the many characters I've had the good fortune to have known. I'm proud to have shared the stage with you. Take your bow my friend because you've got yourself a standing ovation for  the life you've led. Rest now dear one...you're on break.