Just because you've been doing something forever . .

does that mean you need to/have to/should continue forever more?

I've asked myself this question several times over the last two or three decades.  I've always struggled with the answer and have made some difficult decisions that disappointed a few people.  But in the end, I had to follow my "voice."

When Michael was a little boy we had a Santa Party every year for the neighborhood kids and children of friends.  It was a blast and the kids had a great time.  Santa would arrive ringing his bells and handing out gifts and everyone loved it.  But there came a time when it felt like the "last." 

Hillary Richmond was so disappointed she wrote a paper about it in school.  Tom Collins (an adult) walked around with a frown on his face for days.  It was time, though.

I used to dress like a witch and sit on the front porch for Halloween for years scaring the crap out of the kids.  Nobody had more fun than me.  I was known far and wide.  Sometimes there would be a line down the steps. I don't remember how many years of scaring went on but, again, the pointy hat and the ugly witch mask were put away. 

I sang in a local fund raising show called Cabaret with the trio for years and years and years.  I loved every single second of performing in that production but when rehearsal started in 2007 I got that feeling again.  It was time.

And speaking of singing, I have decided to bring my time with the trio to a close.  Oh the memories I have  of Mary Spreitzer and Alva Morgan and then Sue Buese.  The laughs, the guidance, the harmony.  Phil Siegler on the piano in the early years still leaves a warm fuzzy in my heart.  Shhh, don't tell him, he gets all puffed up when you compliment him.

I've had a tough time with this decision because it affects my friends as well.  It wasn't a decision I made lightly.  It's been on my mind for over a year. 

At age 63 I'm looking at how many years of "singing" time I have left.  How much time I want to put into it and what I want to sing.  I finally came to the conclusion that I want to sing a few times a year but only a few songs every now and then and only the Blues with little rehearsal.  I have a few friends that put up with me and give me a little mic time periodically.  For right now - I think - that is enough.