There Are Advantages . . .

It is nice to be known. I sometimes complain that Tahoe City is so small. I would like to be able to go to some place simple like Target or Home Depot without having to drive an hour. On the other hand, in a small town, you get to be known. 

The woman at the dog food store remembered my sciatica and carried the big bag to the car for me even though my leg is fine now. At the Post Office, I commented on the sign that said I needed an appointment to renew my passport. “How do I do that?” I asked. “Oh, I’ll do it now for you.” And then when I realized I had left my PO key in the car, he said he would get my mail for me. Went to the pharmacy and although I didn’t need anything from the pharmacist, he waved at me as I walked by. Even in the grocery store, the check out clerk and I recognized each other and chatted as I went through. Like I said, it’s nice to be known. 

Celebrating 75

When Dean asked what I wanted to do for my birthday celebration, I said, I wanted our grandson, Kyle, to join us for dinner. We ended up having Kyle make us reservations at the really nice restaurant where he works as a server. We had a delightful time tucked away in a far corner, the perfect table for Dean to hear what was being said and joining in the conversation. 

I often order a cranberry/pineapple juice mixture in a nice glass "so it looks like I am having a cocktail". For the first time, it was brought me in a martini glass. Delightful. I had never drunk from a martini glass, so it was a new experience. They are made for sipping. Lovely.

Grandson Kyle. This restaurant gives their servers credit for a meal and Kyle donated his to the celebration. A very nice birthday present! Thank you, Kyle!

Dean and Kyle had the surf and turf.

I was going to eat "light" so after lobster bisque, I added grilled chicken to a Wedge - and as you can see it was Huge. Brought home a lot of it for tomorrow's lunch.

Here I am with my two guys doing exactly what I wanted for my birthday. 

They brought me a candle on one of the two desserts we ordered.

I made a wish and blew out the candle sending blessings for everyone into the atmosphere.

It's been a good birthday to celebrate three-quarters of a century. I'm feeling good and very happy and doing well as I move with energy into the next quarter.

Blessings to wherever you are in your journey around the sun!

A Divided Self

As many of you know I was supposed to travel to Texas last week to my step-brother’s funeral. In spite of the sadness of the occasion, I was looking forward to seeing that side of my family that I had not seen since our mother’s funeral 13 years ago. I had an early flight and weather in Tahoe was to be snowy (which it wasn’t) so I spent Monday night at an airport hotel in Reno. I spent the night being sick and by 4 am, I cancelled my flight and stayed in bed until Dean came for me at noon. 

While I slept and lay there, I was very aware I was supposed to be on a plane. By the time I was home, I was very aware of my friend and her house and what our conversation that afternoon and evening would have been. 

Wednesday, again a day in bed, I kept thinking about my friend and my family and what it was like to be gathering, visiting, sharing. 

Thursday was the service itself and although I got out of bed and bathed and dressed, I just sat around rather sad and depressed and was with the family, thinking about them and loving them and wondering about the service. My step-sister and her daughters were planning lunch for the family and, knowing these women, I know it was amazing. She may have just pulled together food at the house (there is always lots of food brought to the house at a Southern funeral) or maybe she had it catered. Whatever she decided, be assured it was casually elegant and perfectly planned and of course delicious. 

Friday morning about 3 o’clock, I woke with the realization that I was well. As I was supposed to be spending the afternoon and evening with more good friends, I thought about them a lot and all the things we would have talked about and shared together.

As I woke on Saturday morning, I knew I was on the plane. About noon my emotional self popped back into my physical self and I was home. 

It was an interesting experience. Usually I am very present in the moment wherever I am and whatever I am doing. Last week I was definitely a divided person, physically existing in my normal environment and still very present in a distant place. It’s good to be one again. 

A Little Sympathy Goes a Long Way

My step-brother died this week. Having not seen any of that side of the family for 13 years at my step-mother’s funeral, I decided to fly to Texas. Dean, Oso and I took a nice walk and then I sat down to make all the arrangements. All I did was sit. And I when I got up I was exhausted. 

Part of that was emotional exhaustion from people’s genuine kindness as they deal with you on the phone. I called to postpone a doctor’s appointment and when I told his receptionist why I had to cancel, she was so sympathetic. When the agent at American Airlines told me I had to spend a certain amount for booking so close to flight time and I said, yes, it was a family funeral and you can’t plan those ahead of time, he was very sympathetic and hopeful they would make my flight as easy as possible. 

The family was pleased that I was coming. The friend with whom I am staying is pleased to have me there. She remembers my brother well and liked him very much. 

People are basically nice and empathetic and given the state of the news right now, that is nice to have affirmed especially if it is at a sad time. It takes so little to smile at someone or to express sympathy and it means so very, very much. Practice kindness wherever you are. It costs you nothing. 

A Personal Story Worth Telling

This afternoon after a Costco run, we had ordered our lunch at In & Out. I took my tea to a table in the corner and as I turned to head for the restroom, the grandfather at the next table was giving his granddaughter one of those little copies of the Declaration and Constitution. My guess is she was 11 to 13 - hard to tell these days. 

I leaned in, touched her shoulder and said, “You have just been given an incredible gift. An incredible gift.” She smiled and said thank you and I left for the restroom. When I got back to the table the grandparents were still there talking to Dean (who could hardly hear a thing in a busy In & Out on Sunday.) They were So excited. They thanked me over and over. The grandfather - had to have been the girl’s maternal grandfather - talked about “her father thinks he knows everything and if you don’t believe him just ask him”. Grandfather hopes father doesn’t throw the little book away. 

I am hoping that because a stranger told her it was an incredible gift, she will think it is special enough to make sure she keeps it. 

The whole episode warms my heart and I am so pleased I said something. Oh, and as the grandparents were leaving, grandmother said, “Have a happy new year.” 😀