Carrie has been joining me on Saturdays as Adam is working all day. We have lunch, go shopping, watch a movie. It is so easy and wonderful to spend alone time with her.

My favorite first child.

Erik, Carrie, Ellen, Isaac, and Ari shared my day with me. We had a great meal with a special dessert prepared with my priority ingredients. I read Ari’s essays for his high school applications. Incredibly well written. Caught up with soccer with Isaac.

I treasure these times.

He died this week. I relished his acting and his involvement in civil rights. He was in one of the first movies I saw when I was a child. It was Blackboard Jungle. I have always remembered that movie. We both moved on in our lives. We both became more involved and mature.

I will miss him.

Called Ari and he answered the phone. First good thing. We talked, caught up on the week. Then I asked a favor. Being a wise and competent cook, I asked for recipes for non-meat dishes, particularly with beans, which I have not cooked with. He suggested Erik’s chili recipe, substituting the turkey with black beans. I love Erik’s recipe.

Ingredients on shopping list for this week.

Take pills. Not painkillers. Exercise. Ice. Heating pad. Hot shower. Stop lengthy walks. Consult with a doctor. Stop talking about it with friends and family. It bores people. Too much stuff going on in the world to add more down news too. Be strong. Be optimistic.

It will pass.

Over a holiday weekend with no plans, I caught up on movies. Some I had recorded and others were on Netflix or Prime. I spent the time with Kevin Costner, Casey Affleck, Harrison Ford, Tom Cruise, Robert Downey, Jr., and Mark Wahlberg.

Good company.

I am introduced to back pain. My plan was to meet my friend for lunch, but after a week of discomfort, I realized that walking is likely contributing to my discomfort. My friend, a dear person, suggested coming to my home and bringing lunch. I value her suggestion. I told her I have my lunch, but she can bring hers.

I look forward to seeing her.

We picked names at Thanksgiving for a gift exchange for the family. We always do this. When we met to open our presents, it was Ari’s turn to give his gift. He walked up to me. I said out loud, “I sure hope you made this.” Ari is a great cook and baker. I opened it, and it was caramel-filled brownies. He knows my two favorites are caramel and chocolate.

I am fortunate he got my name!

Isaac and Ari slept over for the first time in almost two years. I noticed they had brought their own toothbrushes and toothpaste. I have always had both here for them. I realized this had changed for them as they got older. I contemplated keeping the toothbrushes in the bathroom so I could have a cue to remember their overnights when they were younger. Then I chose to throw the toothbrushes out.

Attention to now and the future, not the past.

Isaac passed his driving test and got his license. I was so excited for him as I remembered the sense of freedom I felt when I got mine. Erik told me about Isaac during a phone call and said that at that moment, Isaac had gone for a long bike ride.

Classic Isaac.