Tag Archives: Best

The Best

Here’s a photo of my friend Cara and her mom Petra. The family, including sister Tessy and dad Pascal, took me out to dinner a few nights ago to l’Heritage – a fancy and delightful restaurant only a one-minute walk from my home.

I’m not going to write about our fine evening. The picture reminds me of the most precious moments in my life.

Long ago I thought that sublime times immersed in nature were the best. I once scrambled up Mount Lineham in Alberta, Canada (i.e. no ropes needed). The vista revealed was a circle of snow-capped peaks. I was speechless, and lingered long at the top. Now there’s a sadness that I’m not strong enough to gaze upon that beauty again.

Or the best sometimes settled in my mind at a concert. Last August 50,000 of us witnessed a joyous Lady Gaga performance in Toronto. She gave ‘er and gave ‘er some more for over two hours. No breaks in the driving beat and soaring voice. Surely that was the top of the mountain in my life moments.

Another candidate is the epiphany often revealed when I’m alone. In October I spent twelve days in Quebec City. One evening I walked a narrow street, alone in the darkness. It was just Bruce, so simply me. A smile came easily.

Above the mountains, above Lady Gaga’s Edge of Glory, above just me in the quiet of the night … are times when I’m with one person. We connect in the eyes and share our world with each other. And it’s good.

The Best

Mamma Mia

I want my writing to be “good”, so that my thoughts will reach people.  Usually that’s what I want.  Tonight I don’t care.  I have a simple message:

Go see Mamma Mia! Here We Go Again

I cried.  I sang along.  I applauded at the end.  Truly one of the finest movies I’ve ever seen.  Naturally I’m biased.  Your take may be different.  So what?  Go see it.

What do I say without spoiling it for you?  I don’t know, but I’ll give ‘er a go.  We long for friendship … it’s here.  We long for community … it’s here.  We long for romantic love … it’s here.

The biggest smiles, the deepest sadnesses and the most profound joys.  A few moments that I will play over and over again once I get the Blu-ray.  Moments that stop the world and break the heart wide open.

Good writing tells me to be specific.  Paint the emotional scenes with great detail.  Well, sorry – not tonight.  You’ll just have to trust me on this.

We get to see folks who are young adults, and then decades later.  The souls still shine.

We get to hear the blessed Abba songs that weave into the lives of this story.

We get to celebrate the ecstasy, tenderness and sorrows of life because they’re onscreen, right in front of our noses.

Chiquitita, you and I know
How the heartaches come and they go
And the scars they’re leaving
You’ll be dancing once again
And the pain will end
You will have no time for grieving
Chiquitita, you and I cry
But the sun is still in the sky
And shining above you
Let me hear you sing once more
Like you did before
Sing a new song, Chiquitita