Wednesday, I met up with my friends Rita B and Joni S at the Fat Rabbit in Folsom for lunch and a 3 person game of cribbage. It was a fun diversion from my thoughts this week. And a perfect place for some good fish and chips and a game.
Games are a great way to use your brain, talk about a variety of subjects and get a tiny bit of competition in. I didn’t win, but I didn’t lose (sorry Rita!). The discussion ranged from patriotism (and just how did Trump co-opt the American flag for crying out loud!??), to our teaching days, arts and crafts, and why we feel so busy these days. Each of us feels as busy as ever and yet so much more relaxed. It is OK to spend 2 hours playing cribbage when there is always tomorrow to get stuff done. Really – what truly has to be done today? After 59 years of always having far too much to do (OK – maybe when I was little…nah… I always resented having to sleep – too much playing and reading to do!), it is incredibly freeing to just go through the day doing the little that must be done and then filling with the things I can do.
Then this morning I met Lori S at the gym for our morning pool workout and took her to breakfast at Karen’s Bakery. Yummmm is the only way to explain Karen’s! Lori is facing family turmoil with a medical emergency for her brother’s family, older parents, elderly and medically fragile pets….and the start of school in 9 days. UGH. And my own extended family also facing turmoil in that Dave’s Aunt’s yard is being torn up to reinforce a house up the hill that is falling down the hill. You never know when your tranquil life will be turned upside down in a moment. And this all fits with my thoughts this week. Tomorrow will be the 17th anniversary of my father’s death. It is so long ago and yet I still think of him daily. From the friendly deer looking for water (and maybe occasional food falling from the deck), to the crazy hummingbirds flitting about my deck, I remember him. I think of what he would be doing these days. Probably thinking about apple fritters and hunting, and hopefully still able to go outside.
Remember to be grateful for what positives you do have in your life and tell tohse you love them at every opportunity.