“Grief is not a disorder, a disease, or a sign of weakness. It is an emotional, physical, and spiritual necessity, the price you pay for love. The only cure for grief is to grieve.” – Earl Grollman
Early in our marriage, Sue found an advertisement for a Christmas Musical and Brunch out in the town Clairmont. Going to the Candlelight Dinner Theater in Clairmont for the Christmas play was our tradition for twenty-nine years. We went alone the firsts time, and then we added our mothers. The following year we added our aunts and cousin. By the early 1990s, we invited our kids, grandkids, and over the years we added friends and family. One year we had 110 people.
Sue, like me, hated shopping, and giving physical gifts became a real hassle. So, we decided to “give memories.” Memories cannot be re-gifted, memories live with you forever, and we get to share memories with family and friends at this particular time of year.
She was so excited about the play every year, and seeing everyone together made her very happy. This year would be our 29th year, but alas, it is not to be. I will continue the tradition, but without my Sue, it will not be the same. I miss her so very much.
Memories at the Christmas Play.
Well put and so very accurate!
The morning started pretty sadly for me. This morning I had to be up bright and early to move Sue’s clothes from the garage to the driveway. The Los Alamitos High School dance club advertised that they were having a fundraising activity since the virus problem stopped all of their normal fundraising activities. They were collecting clothes to raise funds. So I put two and two together; they needed money for their dance club, and I needed to donate Sue’s clothes. I am sure Sue would be excited about the arrangement because she loved to dance so very much, and helping kids was always important to her.
Packed up and ready to make others happy.
I could not be there at 8:45 AM because I had to be in Orange at 9:00 AM for a birthday celebration. So I put everything in the driveway, and while I was at breakfast, my Nest security system alerted me that things were being picked up. I was happy that I was not there and only viewing it remotely. There were a lot of good memories in those boxes. Sue looked so incredible in her gowns and, as she used to say, “sparkly outfits.”
Twenty-two packing boxes were ready for pickup.
The garage security cam picked up the whole event. I did not watch the entire affair as I was too sad.
Caught on security camera, made me tear up!
I was invited by Lee to attend her daughter’s birthday celebration held at The Original Pancake House in Orange, California. Lee and I were “an item” sixty years ago while in High School. We reconnected a decade ago and Sue, Lee, and I were good friends. At my 50th high school reunion, Sue and I picked up Lee and the three of us went together.
Losing Sue was a horrible experience, and I thought it would be good to meet some new people. Lee lost her husband several years ago so she can relate to my present situation. I thought it would be fun to meet the rest of Lee’s family. Sue and I knew Michele, her daughter, and her granddaughter from last year’s Christmas play, but I had not met Michele’s husband and several of the others at the table.
Happy birthday Michele!
Lee and I got our pictures taken by Brett, who, by the way, is a law-enforcement officer and will be enforcing the law in Rossmoor for about six months. Now I will have to behave! That was quite a coincidence.
It is impressive that we have known each other for over sixty years. We met in 1960 when the dinosaurs roamed the earth!
Lee and I at The Original Pancake House.
Listen to the music of our day, the greatest hits of 1960!
After getting home, I did some work on the remodel. I put in R13 sound insulation in all the surrounding internal walls. While in the work area, I straightened things up, took the jackhammer box to the garage, and prepared everything for Bob’s arrival on Wednesday. The R13 is fiberglass-based so I used gloves and a mask and thank goodness I did. When I exited the bathroom, my normal black sweatshirt as loaded with glass fibers. Tomorrow I will finished off the rest of the walls save for the area where additional plumbing must be completed.
Now it was time for a walk as I know today will be tough on the old bathroom scale since I will be eating two meals.
I cut the walk a little short today.
I skedaddled north down the street had a blinding speed of 2.5 mph, only stopping for things of beauty like the gorgeous flower below. This little guy looked like just fell out of a sack of Cheetos.
Nature on display.
On the way back home, I talked to Jan Mongell for almost 30 minutes as we shared all of our activities over the last couple of days. We both determined that we want this virus outbreak to be done as we want to get back to our regular social life.
It was flag day on the hood.
Returning home, I worked in the garage for a little bit as I want to return the jackhammer to Joe in better condition than it arrived, just something I do. I rested for a few minutes watching “Anne with an E,” realizing full well that I was approaching the end of the series. The series is it takeoff from Anne of Green Gables, a book which I never read growing up. I was sad to learn that because of a disagreement between the Canadian Broadcasting Company and Netflix, the series was suddenly discontinued after season three. I would’ve been delighted to watch more but, as we know, all good things must come to an end
Did You Know? Anne of Green Gables is a 1908 novel by Canadian author Lucy Maud Montgomery (published as L.M. Montgomery). Written for all ages, it has been considered a classic children’s book since the mid-twentieth century. Set in the late 19th century, the novel recounts the adventures of Anne Shirley, an 11-year-old orphan girl, who is mistakenly sent to two middle-aged siblings, Matthew and Marilla Cuthbert, who had originally intended to adopt a boy to help them on their farm in the fictional town of Avonlea on Prince Edward Island, Canada. The novel recounts how Anne makes her way through life with the Cuthberts, in school, and within the town.
It is 5:30 PM and time to head to the Himilayan Grill for dinner with Chuck and Lisa. Great friends Sue and I met through Patty’s Place. They enjoy Indian food, and I enjoy their company. We talked a lot about my Sue and how she was so extraordinary in many people’s lives.
Dinner with friends, Chuck and Lisa, was relaxing.
The owner brought me my Lamb Vindaloo but also added Spicy Chicken Tikka for all of us, on the house! The sizzle was going gangbusters this evening, sending clouds of beautiful aromas throughout the restaurant. It was a wonderful evening filled with memories, some tears, and a lot of giggling!
Hot stuff!!
I headed home along PCH towards seal Beach Boulevard as the sun was setting to the west. I simply pointed the camera out the windshield, took a half a dozen shots, and hope for the best.
I was returning home at sunset.
When I got home, I changed clothes, got into my jammies, and got a cup of coffee settling down to the bat phone for my evening phone calls. Lee called to say hello and that she enjoyed this morning’s breakfast with her family and me a lot. I talked to Robin, and we made arrangements for dinner on Tuesday. It was too late to call the East Coast, so I did not get to do my evening call with Colleen, darn, as I always look forward to evening conversations.
