It was a productive break. Unfortunately, the weather was cold, damp and dismal for most of the nine days. I did end up going in for a 1/2 day of work because the class where I do a Social Skills group on Wednesday mornings was in session. That was another psychological boost because I felt as if my vacation was beginning again and the beginning of a vacation is always the best part, isn't it?? And I left work on Wednesday and met Cathy and Christy for lunch which was totally vacation-y. On the other days, I got so many errands accomplished! It really felt good. There were several days that I was out of the house for four or five hours, shopping around, picking things up, etc. Sally and I got lots of wedding related items knocked off our list. On Monday, we went to the bridal salon to visit Sally's dress and order a veil. We could have waited til the first fitting tomorrow night, but we were too excited. They recommended that Sally have her wedding shoes for the first fitting, so that was another mission we were on this week. She found a beautiful pair at Nordstrom. We also spent lots of time looking for dresses for her showers, rehearsal dinner, etc.
One of the most memorable events of break was the funeral of my sorority sister, Claudia. She died after a long and brave battle with breast cancer. Claudia is one of the eight sorority sisters that I have kept in close contact with over the last thirty years. She is one of the participants in the annual "day after Christmas four hour breakfast". We have one of those same time, same place events, always the day after Christmas at the Marriott suites by the airport. We meet for breakfast and visit for hours (we don't even have one glass of wine!), catching up on everyone's news. We also try and get together at least one other time each year. Claudia was diagnosed with breast cancer shortly after our 40th birthdays, then was clean up until almost exactly her five year cancer free anniversary. It returned and had spread to her bones. But Claudia fought hard and lived with a terminal diagnosis for almost 13 years. And she lived well for most of that time, taking many wonderful trips with family and friends to Europe, Florida, all sorts of exciting places. But she became quite ill about six months ago and was not able to come to the all day breakfast. We offered to go to her house, but she was not well enough. Claudia passed away on March 22nd and her funeral was on Saturday, March 30. It was a beautiful tribute to her. I was surprised how hard Claudia's death hit me. Part of it was that I was so sad for her and her family; she was super close to her siblings and nieces and nephews and I relate to that. But it was more than that. It really made me think about my own mortality (it's all about me...my friend dies and here I am thinking about me). And just how fast time goes. So fast. Unreal, sometimes. I was pretty much weepy all day Saturday and I don't cry very often any more. I was just so sad. We were invited to have lunch with Matt, Sally and Matt's parents, but the service was at 2, so I could not go. I just would have been a mess anyway. I did feel much better after the service, though. I think it helped to be with others who were processing the loss of Claudia. I don't have a picture of Claudia handy; I will find one and post it later.
On Saturday night, we had Julie, her parents, and her sister and brother-in-law over for dessert. Julie's parents were in town visiting and so Wayne and Julie were spending most of the Easter weekend with them. Matt and Sally came over, too. It was a fun night.
On Easter, Jack, Wayne, Sally, Matt and I went to mass together. Jack, Wayne and I ended up going to brunch with Julie and her family. Matt and Sally spent the rest of the day with Matt's family. It was such a different Easter. It was the first time in 30 years that I did not see my in-laws on Easter! I missed them. A lot. And I did not see my sisters or anyone from my family of origin. I usually do something with them on Easter Saturday. I missed them too! I do not like changes to traditions, but that is where life is heading. And it will be fine. It's all good.
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| Tim, Sarah, Julie, Gordon, Marie and Wayne |
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| Wayne and Julie |
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| Jack, me and Wayne |
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