Today was sad...but in some ways, it was a good day, too. I spent most of the morning just hanging out with our "son," Elvis. Watched a couple of movies at home, ate lunch. I had planned on maybe going to Lake Michigan, but realized I really didn't want to drive very far today. So what to do?
Last year, I had the same dilemma, and ended up going to John's favorite restaurant for celebrations: PF Chang. I came in, was seated, and just casually mentioned I was celebrating my husband's birthday by going to a restaurant he loved. They figured out that must mean that he was no longer with me, as I didn't really go into any more detail.
When I finished my meal, they came out with the check. It said ZERO on it. I said to them I had planned on paying and was kind of embarrassed. "I didn't come for a free meal," I think I said. They told me that they wanted to do this, and convinced me to allow it to happen. I started to cry. I cried harder when I read my fortune from my after-dinner cookie, and it said, "A kindness will be bestowed upon you in the next few days." When I went home, I taped the fortune to the bill and now have it where I can see it whenever I think that there's so much evil in the world. There is even more GOOD.
This year, I ended up going to the movies. Ant Man is a part of the Marvel series, and John LOVED comics and the movies connected with him. Marvel, XMen, DC, didn't matter.
Funny aside: The new art museum on the edge of campus has an interesting design. John hated it. I had to agree, at least initially. He never got to see the inside...I think he might have changed his mind, just a little. I really like the place, now, even though the outside isn't something I'd pick. Almost a year ago, scenes for the upcoming Batman vs Superman movie were filmed at this very building. Lots of starts in town: Ben Affleck (who worked out in the football team's exercise room), Amy Adams, lots of others. Elvis and I went one evening to watch the activities. It was fun, but I mainly did it to honor John's love of this genre. And I just thought it was hilariously ironic that this building that John pronounced "UGLY" was used for one of his favorite types of films!
So, I went to see Antman today. And it was very good! I think he would have enjoyed that movie (and would have LOVED the movie from last summer that was from the comics: Guardians of the Galaxy (probably one of my favorite movies of that genre, at least). After the movie, I decided I needed to do something especially for myself...so...I made an appointment at the local Aveda school for a de-stress treatment (similar to a massage, but BETTER). Afterward, since I had a lot of oil in my hair, I had a shampoo and blow-dry. I love the style (I had my hair cut the night before). I love going to the school; a savings and some very nice students and teachers there. I thank my friend, Tory--a graduate of this school--for learning about the stress-free session. It's wonderful, and highly recommended!
After that, I ran home, and picked up Elvis...but before we left the yard, I realized someone had allowed their dog to go number 2 in my yard and didn't pick up after the dog. Ewww! So, a quick change of shoes, and back in the car (will finish cleaning off the flip flop I was wearing tomorrow...I got enough off to be able to put it inside near the back door) to go to a memorial balloon launching a few blocks from the house that I had just learned about earlier in the day. Elvis and I sent one up for John. It was beautiful.
Afterward, we went for ice cream at the local Dairy Queen. I frequented it a lot when John was in hospice...Elvis has greeted the folks in the window many times.
As you can see, Elvis loves his ice cream. After a quick trip to the car wash and to top off the tank while the prices are fairly low, we headed home.
Elvis takes good care of me. And it was a good day. Just not fair that John wasn't here to celebrate it with us. Or maybe he was with us...
Last year, I had the same dilemma, and ended up going to John's favorite restaurant for celebrations: PF Chang. I came in, was seated, and just casually mentioned I was celebrating my husband's birthday by going to a restaurant he loved. They figured out that must mean that he was no longer with me, as I didn't really go into any more detail.
When I finished my meal, they came out with the check. It said ZERO on it. I said to them I had planned on paying and was kind of embarrassed. "I didn't come for a free meal," I think I said. They told me that they wanted to do this, and convinced me to allow it to happen. I started to cry. I cried harder when I read my fortune from my after-dinner cookie, and it said, "A kindness will be bestowed upon you in the next few days." When I went home, I taped the fortune to the bill and now have it where I can see it whenever I think that there's so much evil in the world. There is even more GOOD.
This year, I ended up going to the movies. Ant Man is a part of the Marvel series, and John LOVED comics and the movies connected with him. Marvel, XMen, DC, didn't matter.
Funny aside: The new art museum on the edge of campus has an interesting design. John hated it. I had to agree, at least initially. He never got to see the inside...I think he might have changed his mind, just a little. I really like the place, now, even though the outside isn't something I'd pick. Almost a year ago, scenes for the upcoming Batman vs Superman movie were filmed at this very building. Lots of starts in town: Ben Affleck (who worked out in the football team's exercise room), Amy Adams, lots of others. Elvis and I went one evening to watch the activities. It was fun, but I mainly did it to honor John's love of this genre. And I just thought it was hilariously ironic that this building that John pronounced "UGLY" was used for one of his favorite types of films!
So, I went to see Antman today. And it was very good! I think he would have enjoyed that movie (and would have LOVED the movie from last summer that was from the comics: Guardians of the Galaxy (probably one of my favorite movies of that genre, at least). After the movie, I decided I needed to do something especially for myself...so...I made an appointment at the local Aveda school for a de-stress treatment (similar to a massage, but BETTER). Afterward, since I had a lot of oil in my hair, I had a shampoo and blow-dry. I love the style (I had my hair cut the night before). I love going to the school; a savings and some very nice students and teachers there. I thank my friend, Tory--a graduate of this school--for learning about the stress-free session. It's wonderful, and highly recommended!
After that, I ran home, and picked up Elvis...but before we left the yard, I realized someone had allowed their dog to go number 2 in my yard and didn't pick up after the dog. Ewww! So, a quick change of shoes, and back in the car (will finish cleaning off the flip flop I was wearing tomorrow...I got enough off to be able to put it inside near the back door) to go to a memorial balloon launching a few blocks from the house that I had just learned about earlier in the day. Elvis and I sent one up for John. It was beautiful.
Afterward, we went for ice cream at the local Dairy Queen. I frequented it a lot when John was in hospice...Elvis has greeted the folks in the window many times.
Elvis takes good care of me. And it was a good day. Just not fair that John wasn't here to celebrate it with us. Or maybe he was with us...
No comments:
Post a Comment