Her name was Lola
Maybe we’re all skating on thin ice.
Yesterday morning after the show I had breakfast with my producer and friend, Angela. We sat in a restaurant overlooking the skating rink at Rockefeller Plaza. As we watched the skaters go by we started making up stories about who they were, and what was going on in their lives.
There were the obvious couples, perhaps out on a first date, the little kids with their parents, and then of course "the rail people"--you know them, the novice skaters who hold on to the rail for dear life, wondering what ever possessed them to put on skates in the first place.
And then there was Lola. A middle aged woman with long salt-and-pepper hair, she commanded the center of the rink, oblivious to everyone else around her. We watched in awe and some amusement as she performed an elaborate number that never seemed to end, complete with dramatic hand gestures and lip-synching to imaginary music.
The wait staff noticed us noticing her and said with a slight roll of the eyes, “Oh, we call her Lola. She’s here every day, doing that same routine.”
I wondered about Lola: What does she do when there’s no ice? Where does she go in the off season? Who is she?
It’s easy to write off the Lolas of the world as crazy, but I’m not sure what’s crazier--living an everyday "safe" existence, or skating with abandon as if nobody’s watching.
Eventually we paid the bill and left the restaurant. Lola kept on skating...
Dear Meredith,
I used to be just like you and wonder about people and probally even dismiss them as crazy because they acted differently than I would in whatever situation they were in. That is until I lost my Dad in May of 2003. As he laid in his hospital bed dying and with me at his side every moment I can remember when he took off his oxgyn and said to me don't walk past people with out saying hello, don't walk the other direction when some one asks you for help and most importantly don't judge anyone because they are diffrent than you are, because you never know if they are my eyes watching you from heaven. As he put his oxygen mask back on he took his last breathe and mouthed I love you Dink.
He was my best friend and I hope one day I can run into his Angel here on Earth.
Connie wolfe age 37
How inspiring! We could all stand to be a bit more like Lola.
I love reading your blog Meredith. You seem so real to me compared to other journalists/personalities. I appreciate your being so candid with us.
Hi Meredith,
Can you ice skate?
Joe
Skating is great exercise! Maybe Lola is at an indoor rink in the warm season, skating her thighs into shape.
Hi Meredith you always come up with some interesting stories on your blog you have a great sence of imagination.
LOLA dit it not cross your mind that she's living her dream like you did with the Rockettes friday she's probably alone and she thinks she's a skater for the olympics. You should try to get an interview with her she's next door to you on the view OUPS TODAY that was intentional!!!
It could be a great story you like these kind of stories.
Have a good day You were funny this
morning with Mrs Stewart.
It's obvious you are getting more and more at ease with Today.
P.S. I showed the video to Suz last night she's 2 years older then you she said I can't kick higher then my knee so I said try well she did and a few inches above the waist line not bad I said get a costume and dance in the living room one guest only me.
Bye Jc
The "rail people" comment made me laugh. If it wasnt for the fact that I haven't been skating in NYC recently... I'd say that was ME you saw holding on for dear life on my skates.
LOVE your blog. Makes me LOVE watching the Today Show even more.
Now when is Matt starting one??
There's another Lola at the disco rink in Central Park in the summertime...she must be 70 years old, is in amazing shape, and is out there rockin' the rollerblades and skate dancing with all the younger guys almost every day.
You have to admire people who just completely do their thing like that. I guess New York is the perfect place to be whoever or whatever you are.
You won't remember this, but when I was 16 you took me out to dinner and we too sat watching people outside the window, commenting on what we saw. But I was 16 and my comments weren't necessarily the kindest, and you said to me, "You're too judgmental." I've never forgotten that. I disagreed with you at the time, but you were right, and those words changed the way I looked at the world and the people in it from that moment on.
Even back then (half a lifetime ago), you were the most gracious, open, accepting person and, as the Lola story proves, you've only become more so. Thank you for the inspiration.
Meredith, I caught the segment with you and Emily Hughes this morning (which was rather cute) and I couldn't help but think of Lola. So, was she there?....Suggestion: since she's there all the time, maybe one of these days you can approach her, perhaps get her story.
Good morning, Meredith. I want to thank you for the "Lola" post. It lifted the spirits of this headstrong, "do your own thing," gal. In my opinon, it takes a lot of courage to follow one's own path...crazy or not. Because of physical problems, I cannot do most of the things I used to do which were looked upon as different or "crazy," but in my mind, I still skate with the best of them! I also want to thank you for being the kind, intelligent and dedicated person you are. You have been an inspiration to me. I cared for my ill mother; she had a disease called inclusion body myositis which robbed her of her ability to move, swallow, etc. When others couldn't handle seeing her in the condition she was in, or acknowledging she was dying, I stood strong -- not out of courage but out of love. I was always able to see beyond the disease and I have the sense that this ability is one we share. She's been gone ten years and I would give anything just to be able to care for her one more day. With gratitude, Sally
I DEFINITELY know who you are talking about. We were watching Lola on the same day while I was in NYC visiting... we couldn't get over it. It was honestly as if she was the only one of the ice.
And although she may look "weird" to some people -- there's such beauty in her just doing her own thing, while throwing caution to the wind... that I admire. I've never been that brave -- to just not care.
If you were inspired your viewers will also be. As a visual journalist you know that's a moment to sieze and spotlight on Today.
Meredith, Hello. I first started watching you on "The View" I still think your great. I really thought you did wonderful at the "Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade". I really enjoy reading your blog your entries show your personality quite a bit. I hope you continue to write and share your every day life with the world. Take care and thanks for sharing your life with everyone.