This weekend, I re-engaged with several pleasures which I have enjoyed throughout my life.
Saturday afternoon, I saw the musical A Walk on the Moon, describing the adventures of a family during a summer vacation in a resort in the Catskill Mountains, where I spent much time while growing up. Now, many of the hotels where I stayed no longer exist.
Saturday night, over 50 years after intially discovering the music of Barry Manilow, I saw him perform live at UBS Arena in Elmont, NY. He is now 83, and recently had a health challenge which threatened to end not only his career, but possibly his life. It was wonderful to see Barry again, which will probably be the last time he tours in NY. He included Could It Be Magic, always one of my favorite songs.
I began a love affair with horse racing many years ago, when we father introduced me to the sport. Now, I mostly watch races online, and haven’t been to a live race in several years. But with Aqueduct closing Sunday after 132 years, I wanted to be there to enjoy the final card. Even though he has little interest in horse racing, my friend David volunteered to join me. (I do so many things myself, it’s especially nice to have the company of a good friend.)
On the final day at the Big A, it was as though it had already closed. Betting machines on the third floor were gone, pictures on the walls were of horses who ran many years ago, many escalators were not working, and there was little decent food to buy. But joining the crowd again to root on the horses was a very enjoyable. Saratoga opens later this week and the new Belmont Park will re-open in mid September. But Aqueduct no longer offers llve racing.
The hotels in the Catskills have closed, but there are many other places to visit and enjoy. Barry Manilow will end his music career soon, but I will continue to enjoy music of many artists. Aqueduct is gone, but the new Belmont Park will open in mid-September.
It was nice to return to things I loved earlier in life, and which I continue to enjoy today. But while it’s wonderful to appreciate what we did in the past, it’s also important to find new joys as we grow older. We don’t have to give up old pleasures, but we also need to be open to discovering new sources of enjoyment. It’s important to make room for the old and the new.