Let's Catch Up

It's been so long since I've posted on my blog, I almost forgot I had the darn thing!  So, let's catch up.  Life has been a series of challenges this past year to say the very least.  I will get the saddest part out of the way first.

At the end of August I had to say farewell to my precious fur baby, Dixie.  Even as I write this now tears are streaming down my face.  For 11 years that little rascal was my constant companion and, for such a tiny creature, she left a mighty big hole in my soul.  I am pretty sure she will be my last pet, for sure my last dog, I am just too old to handle the loss of a friend who sees you as their entire reason for being.

My struggle to obtain my Social Security Disability benefits continues.  I now have an attorney, which everyone told me I was going to need in Louisiana and, well, they were right.  The level of patience required to navigate this process is beyond comprehension, but I persevere.

On September 14th, my good friend, and neighbor, Shana suffered a massive bleeding stroke.  She called me at 6:30 am that Monday morning with just two words, "come now!".  I ran down the street in my bathrobe, two doors down to her house.  Fortunately, as two single ladies living alone we had the presence of mind to keep keys to each other's houses.  Thankfully, the ambulance got there very quickly and a wonderful neurosurgeon was able to save her life from a stroke few people survive.

This leads me to my current life chapter.  After 44 days in the hospital, it was apparent that although Shana had made a miraculous recovery, she still had a very long way to go to rehabilitation and would not be able to live on her own for now.  Shana has four wonderful children all in their 30's, with very busy lives and families of their own.  Since I am, to say it simply, a bit at loose ends these days, it seemed the wisest thing to do was to move into her house and take care of her.  Now, if any of you have ever taken care of a friend or parent in this condition you know how challenging this can be.  There are good days and there are some very dark days.  I won't pretend I find being a caretaker easy or fun, or even something I am good at, but I am grateful for the opportunity, in the midst of my own problems, to focus on being of some help to a really good friend and her family in their time of need.

So, there you have it.  My life these days is very quiet and fairly confined to the daily needs of my friend, so if you've noticed I don't post often on my Facebook page, or, clearly, haven't written on my blog it's because I just don't have much to talk about.  However, I absolutely pour over all of your postings and blogs.  They keep me in touch with the rest of my world that I am sort of taking a break from for the present.  I don't know what 2016 has in store for me, but rest assured I am still here, still smiling and still your friend.

Happy New Year,
Sally

Love Letters

Q:  Where can you see a revival of playwright, A.R. Gurney's, Pulitzer nominated romantic comedy, Love Letters?

A:  On Broadway at the Brooks Atkinson Theater in New York, New York...and...at the Abbey Players Theater in Abbeville, Louisiana.

Q:  Which theater luminaries are starring in these stellar revivals?

A:  New York Cast:  Brian Dennehy & Carol Burnett.  Abbeville Cast:  Bill Stagg & ME!!!

I am so excited to be performing in this amazing production!  Especially considering the last play I had a role in was in the first grade (I was "royal child #4" in the Lubbock, Texas Community Theater production of The King & I).

Love Letters is the humorous and touching story of the relationship between two characters, fiery Melissa Gardner and straight-laced Andrew Makepiece Ladd, III, told only through notes, cards and letters written to each other over the course of 50 years.  Beginning in the second grade, these best friends, sometimes lovers, see each other through lonely childhoods, confusing teen years, college sweethearts, marriages, children and everything in-between.

I have always loved live theater, but I am sure, like many of you, I never thought I would have the courage to audition.  And, in truth I would never have considered it this time if my friend (and director), Dianna Ducote, hadn't convinced me I could do it.  So, in the spirit of never-stop-challenging-yourself, even at 59, and, not to mention the chance to check something off of MY bucket list, I went for it!  Sooooo glad I did, because this has been a wonderful experience.  I am meeting lots of new people and supporting local, amateur theater...something I really feel passionate about!  The Abbey Players have brought great theater performances to Acadiana for 40 years, garnering both local and national acclaim.

So now it's your turn.  If you're in the Lafayette-Abbeville area come see our production and support this wonderful community theater.  Go to www.abbeyplayers.com or call (337) 898-2442 for tickets and information.  There will be at total of seven evening performances and two Sunday matinees between October 10th and November 8th.    If you are not in my area, look into attending a performance of community theater in your town.  And...if you're in New York, by all means see it on Broadway!

Stay awesome,
Sally Hamana