Gaining Strength

Lindsey's children, Robb and Kari sent their contact information and we are going to meet to get caught up. It will be nice to have a conversation with them, find out where they are in life and close that circle.

We realized that we missed our neighbor and friend Rick's birthday and made a date to have the entire family here for appetizers and cocktails the weekend after Easter.

Mom and I went to Big Lots, had lunch at Nordstrom's then a Trader Joe's run. After lunch and in Nordstrom's, we ran into Maryanne. She is the wife of Mark who was in the horrible accident few years ago and who hosts Michael at Hot August Nights every year as a thank you for rescuing them. Nancy, their friend since high school, was married to a friend of Michael's who turned into a real jerk. We have not seen Nancy in many years, we talked about her yesterday and Maryanne is going to arrange a dinner at her house for all of us to get together.

Last night, I made reservations for Easter brunch. We didn't want to go to any place that had a "special" menu. The food is never done well, we hate all-you-can-eat buffets and holiday menus are always very expensive. We are going to the Palo Alto site of the chain Il Fornaio. They are always good, there is no special Easter menu, it is beautiful setting within a hotel and not horribly expensive. Perfect.

Reviewing the day before going to bed last night, I realized for the first time since well before Christmas that we are gently reaching out to be with other people. We had been worried about the cold and flu season, my reduced stamina due to the year-long bronchitis and emotionally, we felt beaten up with the funerals and all the broken relationships within the family. But, I now look forward to seeing Robb and Kari, throwing a small birthday party at our house, seeing an old friend with Mark and Maryanne and celebrating Easter with mom at a restaurant instead of staying home.

The page has turned. We are dipping our toe in the water. I must be feeling better and a bit of stamina is returning otherwise, I would not consider any of the above.