Who has experienced starting over in mid-life?
Some such changes go from A to Z (from painter to actor, or musician to carpenter or vice-versa) and proceed rapidly; some are more of an evolution. I’d say mine was the latter.
Some months back, while listening to NPR (National Public Radio), I caught an interview with Ofra Harnoy. Ms. Harnoy, the celebrated Israeli-Canadian cellist, had disappeared from sight for several years (was it really twenty?), as she withdrew from the performing circuit to care for her young family and then deal with a potentially career-ending shoulder injury.
Harnoy overcame that injury through surgery and with the support of her husband, Mike Herriot (also an accomplished trumpeter and music producer). Now, using the latest multi-tracking technology, she has embarked on a revamped career, playing compositions where (along with Mr. Herriot) she performs all the parts.
Most notable amongst such pieces, in my view, is Gregorio Allegri’s Miserere, the polyphonic piece written for nine voices (two choirs of five and four), which she has transcribed for cello, playing all nine parts . Now that’s something I’d like to hear.
The cello has always struck a chord with me (ha-ha!). Not only did my mother play the instrument when young (since her father owned a musical instruments’ repair shop in London, I assume music would have been a large part of her growing up), but I’ve also found the tone of that instrument so evocative, so heart-rending as to be beyond belief (think of Jacqueline Du Pré playing Edward Elgar’s cello concerto).
My point here is not to talk about music (which – as anyone who has read my recent posts will know – I could happily do) but about starting over, pursuing a new (or slightly altered) path in one’s life.
As noted above, some life changes are dramatic; some are profound; some less so. Ofra Harnoy started over, although in the same vein as before. Please see the following article and link to On the Rock, music inspired by her time in Newfoundland (link).
My life changes were as profound. During a long career devoted to public service, one which began at age 18, I’ve enjoyed success and the luxury of good (well, good enough) health. Now, longevity and experience have provided me with the opportunity to begin again. Writing on academic pursuits, public policy initiatives and government relations came easily for me; it was part and parcel of my vocation, something I worked on every day.
Moving into fiction, however, was a true starting over. And fantasy writing a step into the unknown – a real stretch but one that evolved naturally from a love of the genre. A seven-volume series was an even bigger jump, one requiring several years of dedication, a willingness to keep learning the craft and a great deal of imagination.
Hopefully, readers of The Ravenstones will judge the results as justifying the time and effort. (Hmm, I think I need an emoticon for that.)
Photo by Ross Findon on Unsplash
