Big Mama

Growing old in inevitable. Feeling old is optional. The saying goes, you are only as old as you feel. Ok, sometimes I feel like I’m 110, but that’s on a day where the night before I’ve had little or no sleep.

Most of the time I feel pretty young. That’s a neat trick considering I’m 56. It’s a simple theory really. Think young but lean on experience.

I am more than twice the age of most of my band mates. I also have more energy than they do. I don’t know why. Maybe it’s the vitamins. But what I do know is that being around young people keeps me young. That and a good moisturizer.

My band mates are my Italian children and I am their American mom. Big Mama. Of course in another year the “big” will not be necessary, but I’ll keep it anyway. When we rehearse and play concerts we are equals. On the road, I am the mama, providing the vitamin C, Tylenol, Advil, band-aids, tissues, tic tacs, gum and all the other stuff mommies carry in their Mary Poppins carpet bags.

Just because I feel young, doesn’t mean I can behave like a 25 year old. While they’re scarfing down fast food burgers and fries, I’m picking at a salad or sipping a coffee. When they want to go out and party post gig, I curl up in bed with a book. Actually, to be fair, most of my band mates are not the let’s-get-drunk-party-types. Post gig is usually: break it down, load it up, empty it out and get some dinner. By the time that’s over, it’s 3 am and bed is inevitable.

Sure, I wouldn’t mind being 15 years younger. But music has no age limits. As long as my vocal cords can keep up with me, we’re gonna keep going strong right into the golden years. Sing it sistah!!

Tanti baci ai miei bambini Italiani:

 Samu, Maddy, Colo, Eliana, Saverio, Raffa, Chiara e il mio fratello Davide. And also: Manuele, Fabrizio and Martina who happen to live right here in Boston. For the moment. You guys keep me young.

Like I said, feeling old is optional. I’m not choosing that option any time soon!