Speaking of days, it was one

My mood was good when I woke up Tuesday morning. I had slept well and felt rested, had an outfit planned out and solved my early morning puzzles, a daily exercise to wake up my brain. Bonus: the hair that was wet when I went to bed, looked perfectly fine.

A couple of hours later, though, I received surprising and tragic news about the loss of a relative, one only a few years older than myself, one I hadn’t even known was sick. Cancer My beau had to unexpectedly go to Boston to be present for a family matter.

The day shifted.

As I worked, I intermittently checked the NYT headlines. The situation in the Middle East continues to occupy my attention as I seek understanding of a situation which I can’t fully comprehend. I’ve also been following the seemingly unprovoked Burlington, VT, (a place we visited earlier in the month and witnessed a large march relating to the Israeli-Hamas war), shooting of three young men, all Palestinians. I read about how the families of these college students believed they would be safer in the U.S. for the holidays than if they were to travel back home. 

The irony makes me want to laugh. Or vomit.

Later in the afternoon, as snow squalls raged, I went to the credit union to get the cash I needed to pay for the new range I ordered last week after the door on my 15 y/o model stopped closing reliably. The teller counted out the bills while I silently sent my gratitude, for being able to afford a new appliance without undue financial stress, out to the universe. I know there were times in my life when dropping $1000 a few weeks before Christmas would have felt like a real visit from the Grinch.

My final stop, following the appliance store, was to a grand opening event for a friend’s new catering facility. Getting the location equipped and ready for use has been a very long process and I felt the need to go to the party to celebrate all of her hard work. She’s someone I really admire for ability to take on the challenges she’s been given with grace, competence and humor. I was so happy to witness the beginning of this new endeavor and I wish her many more years of success.  

I drove home thinking about all a single day can throw at a person. There are always problems, surprises (both good and bad), accomplishments and failures. Every day comes with sorrows and joys, confusion and inspiration, fears and relief. While we can do our best to anticipate and prepare for what may come our way, ultimately all we can do is react and respond to circumstances and situations.

At a recent yoga class a passage was read which said that as far as one can know, we only get to go through this life, in the body in which we reside, once. What happens to us and around us can change on a dime, but that truth will always remain.

There are countless occasions when I lack respect for my flesh and body. I monitor what I consume with a vigilance that can be far too absorbing of my mental and physical energy. But, on this particular evening, I cut a wedge of pumpkin pie, taking a moment to top it with a dollop of whipped cream, and poured myself a generous splash of red wine from the bottle we hadn’t finished on Sunday.

And I enjoyed every mouthful.