GUEST COLUMN: MARIANN AALDA (DIDI; EDGE OF NIGHT)
Comin’ in from “ The Edge…”
MARIANN’S MIDLIFE MAYHEM & MISCELLANY:
That’s What Friends Are For…
Gotta give a shout-out to Tamara Tunie, (ex-“Jessica Giffin,” ATWT) on her fabulous cover article in the April/May issue of BOULEVARD magazine! ( http://www.boulevardli.com/ )
Iona Morris
I got to spend a delightful afternoon in her kitchen this past Friday, courtesy of my business-writing partner in the stage-play, “MOIST!” ( www.moistonstage.com ) and BFF of many years, Iona Morris, who played Tunie’s sister, “Fiona,” on As the World Turns. As you can see from these photos, the casting was definitely on the money in the DNA department… these two gorgeous, elegant women definitely look like their ancestors took a swim in the same gene pool, don’t they? Iona was in New York for a business meeting on our project and thought it was time that Tunie and I met.
Now, by nature, I am not a jealous person…no great act of benevolence on my part, I’m just not wired that way. But if there is anything in this world that I might covet, it would be Tunie’s (as her friends call her) kitchen! Sunny and bright with top-of-the-line appliances, it’s straight out of HGTV or Architectural Digest – but still warm and cozy. Kind of like Tunie, herself…top-of-the-line, but still warm and cozy.
For several hours we sat in her kitchen and the three of us laughed, ate, drank great wine and had wonderful conversation. We shared some of our dreams as well as some of our disappointments, and we supported each other’s quests. We high-fived and gave each other “atta-girls,” as we also wiped away a few tears.
By the end of the afternoon, I felt as though I’d made a new BFF, and I hope Tunie felt she’d made one in me as well.
To me, friendship is one of the world’s greatest natural resources. It feels good to have made a new friend…especially since I seem to have experienced some friendship “erosion” in the last couple years, due to attrition.
The online dictionary gives the definition of attrition as: a gradual diminution in number or strength because of constant stress.
As much as I may have tried to keep up my end of “due diligence” in friendship maintenance, sometimes it just didn’t work out. I reached out…and for whatever reason, some decided not to reach back.
Divorce, a change in economic status (both up and down), changing interests, a change of location…sometimes things just don’t work out the way you’d like them to.
Some friends drift away during tough times (theirs) when they feel the need to “save face;” or (yours) when they don’t want to be drawn into your “drama.” Some friends who are good at giving moral support when you’re down-and-out, feel out of place (or envious) when you make a “comeback."
Then, there are the friends that stay with you through thick and thin…good times and bad…and even though you may only see them every couple years or so, each time you get together it’s just like no time has passed at all.
It has been said that there are those who come into our lives for a reason…others for a season…and some, for a lifetime. I’m finally starting to appreciate the meaning of that statement. I’m learning to let go with love and move on with grace…making space for new friends to come into my life…for a reason, a season or a lifetime.
XO,
Mariann
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TAMARA TUNIE has directed her first full length motion picture, See You in September, an original romantic comedy set in current-day Manhattan. The film centers around Lindsay, a successful career woman who is getting therapy to work through her fears of commitment. She's on the verge of a breakthrough when her therapist takes a month-long vacation for the month of August, so she puts together group therapy sessions for others, like her, who have been temporarily ditched by their vacationing shrinks. The movie is currently in post-production, for release later this year.
Click here for more info and to see a trailer:
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IONA MORRIS has most recently been utilizing her theatrical directorial talents on A Handsome Woman Retreats -- a one-woman show about a panicky woman's 10-day search through meditation for her anxiety's source -- written and performed by Kim Wayans ( In Living Color). It premiered in Los Angeles earlier this year to rave reviews and will be presented at the Cleveland Playhouse Wednesday, April 30, thru Sunday, May 4.
Click here for more info and to purchase tickets: http://www.clevelandplayhouse.com/showinfo.asp?eventID=19
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Mariann also blogs at : Lee Bailey’s Electronic Urban Report
1 comment:
That's so wild. I always thought you'd be a great replacement Jessica on ATWT since Tunie is doing so many other things and doesn't seem to have time for ATWT. Great post, btw.
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