Celebrating Legitimacy and Friendship

About the best thing you can say for turning 62 is it further legitimizes your senior standing.  That’s the magic age on the San Francisco public transportation system that entitles one to ride the bus for 75 cents as opposed to $2, for example.

This day has been a reminder of just how many friends far and wide I have.  On the home front, I awoke to find a card and an exquisite amethyst necklace from my husband and Jake.  My daughter called.  My son sent me a beautiful Le Creuset olive pot.  Deborah gave me a jar of Greek spices.  My piano teacher gave me a CD and called to sing Happy Birthday to me.  My friend Gary sent me CD’s of all the music from Glee season one.  A friend in SF sent me CD’s of chants from all over the world.  And so many people send cards, email messages, and Facebook messages.  

It was a busy day.  I took a lunch of lobster-shrimp salad and fresh fruit to my friend Ellen’s house.  She is one of the bravest more optimistic persons I know.  She was diagnosed with stage 4 lung cancer 3 years ago.  After an initial rather hopeless prognosis, Ellen determined to follow every possible lead that might restore her health.  After rounds of chemotherapy and radiation and experimental drugs, her tumors have shrunk and she leads a fairly normal life.  She had just returned from the gym when I arrived with lunch.  

This evening I met another friend for dinner on Capitol Hill.  We tried a fabulous new Vietnamese restaurant, BaBayDC, on Pennsylvania Avenue.  I have never eaten such mouth-watering pho.

Then I went and sat in silence for an hour with long-time mediation friends.  It was a fitting way to end a day of celebration and connection.

Next time I go moaning about feeling lonesome, would someone please remind me of my birthday?   Thanks again for all those good wishes!