Day 171

Connected with Dr. V. and have an appointment on Thursday. Hollie wants to go with me. Kelle and I walked to Seaquake for lunch after the BOS. Big chef salad and a pint of blonde ale. Later I walked to Walgreens to get my eye drops and snagged my arm on a nail sticking out of a pole. While waiting in line I talked to a man who turned out to be one of Hollie’s second graders way back. It was a special conversation.

Day 170

Garden shed cleaned out and reorganization today after I attend the BOS. Good walking and interesting Dem committee meeting yesterday. We are eating junk plus one meal of vegs. Must get over the habit of junk with Kelle. I will regret too much off food plan time. The weather has been perfect for being outside. Trying to connect with doctor about the elevation in my blood pressure through the portal. I need a medical connection that is more available. I want to be well.

Day 169

Church was fine until they sang Amazing Grace and I teared up. My escape from the vehicle was definitely by Grace. I received prayers of gratitude and was grateful for them. Kelle was surprised by the new terminal. We talked and walked and ate at Wing Wah. Later had a beer and junk food. Today we will accomplish reorganizing the garden shed and assessing the fuel tank painting. It’s good to have her here. We have the week planned for together and apart activities.

Day 168

Church first. Gratitude prayers. Then off to the airport to pick up Kelle. I’m happy that she is coming and I have her room all fresh and clean. The writing class was engaging and deep again. I have enjoyed the two writing classes more than anything I can remember in years. I need to find a way to keep connected to writing with others besides Tea and Stories group. We will get out and walk. Kelle will need it after a day of travel.

Day 167

Friday I felt normal. No sudden startles, no flashes of blue, good walking. Into the history books go the near miss and gratitude for my survival instinct. Farmers’ Market this morning. Hollie is still away so I will go alone. I hear there are peaches and plums plus a load of vegs as Kelle arrives tomorrow and I want lots of choices. We usually eat out too. I expect to gain a couple of pounds while she is here. High point: my writing class.

Day 166

The stories were heartfelt and interesting. Delia shared family stories, Karen’s was  hopeful, and Laurie’s was spiritual. The women share deeply and the stories connect us. Today is CofC. I’m ready. It’s a busy place on Friday. Yesterday I was still a bit shocky and shaky. By sharing the experience on Facebook as a cautionary tale, I took off the top of the fear. Lots of support and affection from my friends will help me to get over it. Today I’ll walk with confidence.

Day 165

Restless night. Kind of flashbacks of the vehicle coming at me and a second of running. I walked twice yesterday and will admit feeling vulnerable and less confident. I’ll get over it. Walking is an important part of my routine. Today is Tea and stories group. I smarten up the house so it’s welcoming. The group is a significant part of my life. The writing is less so than the sharing and friendship. I like knowing that I invited them and keep us together.

HEADLINE NEWS; Kellene Sanders is coming for a visit. When her hostess, Sharon, first heard this news, she was less than excited than former years for many reasons. Kelle and Sharon first met in 2002 at Optimum Health Institute in San Diego where they were both patients. They started talking at a class and laughed and smiled at their reasons for being there. Kelle wanted to break her sugar addiction. Sharon wanted to feel well after a long recovery from spinal surgery. Later they both showed up at the meditation room at the same time. Both were carrying journals and lots of colored pens and crayons. During the three weeks they were there Kelle took Sharon over the wall and out to movies and picnics away from the institute. It made it feel like a vacation instead of a rehab.

Months later Kelle began calling Sharon on Sunday evenings usually when she was in her car. It became a routine even when Kelle was in Detroit or Memphis and Peru.  Sharon gave Kelle the confidence to know that anytime she could come to C,City, she would be welcome. Kelle has made at least a dozen visits to C. City.at first she drove from Long Beach during her Christmas break from work. Later she flew and twice she came with a friend on a road trip who left her here and came back for her.

This time when Kelle announced that she was coming, Sharon was not excited. She thought about Kelle saying how “low maintenance” she is followed by asking for the heat to be turned up, no pork please, organic coffee, etc. Not low at all.

Then, the change came in Sharon’s attitude as she realized it was not about Kelle’s visit,    It was about her routine and her curmudgeon reluctance to change. She likes going to bed when she’s tired, eating when and what she wants, getting up early, doing her duties in the community. Then the light dawned as she remembered the fun they have had and her recent loss of her father. Kelle needed to get away from the business of his death and the sorting process with her siblings and called the one person she sure would be there for her. . What’s a week of being present for a long time friend. It is not too much to ask and Sharon is now ready to gleefully accommodate and lovingly step out of her habits to give respite to her friend..