If you’re around my vintage, you might remember the television show Welcome Back Kotter.
The show which ran from 1975 through to 1979 brought many memorable characters to our screens and provided more than a few laughs. As a moon struck teenager I used to eagerly wait for the weekly time slot so that I could feast my eyes on one Vincent (Vinnie) Barbarino played by a youthful John Travolta. Apart from his machismo, who could forget Vinnie’s classic retort:
Up Your Nose With A Rubber Hose?
Vinnie was one of the students in Mr Kotter’s class (played by Gabe Kaplan) and he and his fellow class mates, Arnold Horshack (Ron Palillo), Freddie “Boom-Boom” Washington (Lawrence Hilton-Jacobs) and Juan Epstein (Robert Hegyes) kept us entertained with great one liners, bravado and compassion. One of the great “non-characters” in the show was Epstein’s mother. Epstein’s mother, who we never saw on air, was a prolific permission note writer. In many an episode, Epstein (the guy in the denim vest in the photo) would miraculously produce a cleverly worded permission/excuse note from his dear old mother when placed in the hot seat. So close were the pair, that when Mr Kotter would read the note aloud, Epstein would mouth the words verbatim. Epstein’s mother certainly sounded like a formidable woman!
The concept of Epstein’s mother and the class permission note has stuck with me over the years. Self-permission has become particularly relevant to me in recent years as I take the journey through midlife. It’s the time for taking stock, for shedding the old skin and charting a solid course to the future. In short, it’s time to say it’s OK and to find the reasons why those dreams can and should be pursued instead of focusing on why they can’t.
Everyone’s midlife journey is different and whilst mine has not been without its challenges, it has, in the main, been a positive time. The potential for happiness is huge, the uncertainty is becoming less and less and the future looks full of promise. I’ve determined to fly rather than crumble as I focus on all the doors that are beginning to open rather than on those that may be closing.
Over the next few weeks of the Challenge, I will be blogging a 26 point permission slip. 26 permissions that we tend to deny ourselves in our lives caring for others and wish I had given myself earlier. I’ve come to the point where I have acknowledged that I am just as worthy as those I care for and deserve to give myself a break.
Midlife has its perks. Google “midlife” and you’ll be met with a raft of articles about the midlife crisis or about the Middle Ages. Regrettably, there are very few positive messages about middle age and I’m aiming to change that. Some of my permissions will be funny, others deep. Hopefully you will find more than a few that resonate.
So, in the wonderful tradition of Epstein’s mother I give myself permission to create and commune in April.
Please join me for the A to Z Blogging Challenge Journey.
Raising the Curtain 
Great theme for your A to Z challenge. I look forward to it!
Thanks Carrie, hoping I can do it justice.
Have fun!
I’m nearing mid-life and am looking forward to reviewing sports car soon.
My wife and I are still in negotiations over a harem.
(She’ll come around, right? Right?!?)
Are you sure you want a harem and a sports car? Might be a bit of a tight squeeze!
Great theme. Getting older is not anywhere near as bad as it seemed it might be when I was younger. I agree about doors being opened. Permission slips will be helpful.
Thanks Arlee, I might even give you a hall pass 🙂
Your mid-life travels/travails are truly inspirational/aspirational. Looking forward…
Thanks Jots, I try to make the best with what I have. I’m glad you’ll join me for the Challenge ride.
This will be
Don’t tell me, the fish ate your comment, right?
No. I blame Word Press.
I L O V E your theme and look forward to getting my permission slip on!
Yes, always important to be suitably attired, although not to have your permission slip showing 😉
I cant wait to see what you come up with. it will be just as amazing as u are
Thanks Cricket, I think you’re amazing too 🙂
I l.o.v.e this. I have found my tribe! I may be a l.i.t.t.l.e ahead of you but nothing much has changed for me since then.
You’re my pushing through middle age muse, Tess. Ok, let’s get tribal and vote each other in 🙂
Cannot wait to read these! I so enjoyed your challenge last year. Thought about participating this year, but figured I would be doing my challenge in moving and packing. So, I will take a raincheck for next time and you have my permission to pull this comment up and remind me… there… it’s out in the blog world that I have committed to the next a-z challenge… Looking forward to yours! DAF
Thanks DAF, you have my permission to have a hall pass for this year’s challenge, but will definitely hold you to it for next year. Good luck with the move, my friend xx
thank you kind lady! 😉
thank you kind lady! 😉
Loved the Mid-Life Prayer….. wait with baited breath for your permission slips lovely. 🙂
Thanks Rambles, may I give myself the permission I need along the way 🙂
🙂 you may
Oh mother may I….? 😉
hmm depends what you want the permission to do….;-)
But you know I’m always a good girl, right?
…but of course my lovely…wouldn’t think anything different… 🙂
Being of the same vintage as you, I’m totally with you about wanting to focus on doors opening and positive messages and perspectives about aging. I look forward to reading your posts. My A to Z theme is on turning conflicts to creativity. Hope to see you there too.
I’m definitely keen to read your posts. I tied to leave a comment on your blog last week, not sure if it made it on as it disappeared both times I tried.But will try again.
Looking forward to your posts.
Thanks Carol. I’ll swing by your blog and check out your posts too!
Great theme – I can relate to the concept of self-permission a lot. It seems it did take me quite a while to create those stamps for myself! I am looking forward to your posts!!