The family was at my son’s home for a holiday dinner. The core family arrived early to watch the Michigan-Loyola basketball playoff game.  Everyone was wearing their U of M shirts.  We watched the first half and Michigan was losing.

I went into the kitchen to see if I could be of help preparing the meal.  It occurred to me that I have often watched a game of one of the teams from Michigan (which I consider home) and it has been pointed out that the teams loose if I watch.  It can be noted because I watch few sporting events, even those from Michigan.

I said nothing, but I stayed in the kitchen (or bedroom or bathroom) for the second half.

Michigan won.  My contribution.

I spent some time with Isaac at his house.  Ari was at a birthday party and Erik and Ellen were working in the garden.  Isaac and I were trying to decide what to do.  We looked at the board games he had and I noticed a deck of cards.  I asked him if he knew how to play Gin Rummy.  He said he thought he might have learned in the past, but asked me if I was willing to teach him.  I said I was.

I quickly reviewed the game; he understood easily.  We started to play and I won the first game.  I explained how points were totaled.  I got 28 points on that game.  He won the next game and got 10 points.

We played for 15 more minutes and I made the choice not to add up all of the points on the last game because he was way ahead already and my last hand had no matches.

Need I say more?

I went to my son’s home for Passover.  The whole family was there.  Erik began by mentioning that their Rabbi had encouraged them to be creative with the service that proceeds the dinner.  She had indicated that the book that is written for the service did not need to be followed literally.

Ari, age nine, decided to write original questions as an alternative to the four in the book.  When we came to that part of the service, he read what he had written, and I was deeply touched.

The first question, which we discussed later, was “How do you experience being free?”

In light of the fact that Passover celebrates the exodus of Jews from slavery in Egypt, it certainly was appropriate.  The answers reflected personal senses of freedom, as well as political ones.  It was a very profound and touching discussion.

As we learn more all the time, leave it to a child.

I was at a dinner last night with three other couples.  The eight of us have been getting together once a month for a long time.  We rotate homes.  One of the couples is divorcing, and last night was the final time the eight would be together.  The male of the divorcing couple is leaving California.

The host led a toast as we began the meal.  She turned to the man who is leaving and said, “I wish you the best as you move into the next chapter of your life.”  She then turned to the woman and said, “I wish you the best as you move into the next chapter of your life.”

It was a very sensitive acknowledgement and recognized the reality of our last time as a group of eight.   Well done.

While watching a movie today, I found myself contemplating my priorities.  I found myself to be very content with my life.  I value that I am healthy, that those I love are healthy, and that we are all doing what is meaningful to us.

I have never been competitive; I don’t even like playing board games.  I have strong values and always have pursued what feels meaningful to me.  I do not see my life through other people’s eyes.  I wear makeup because I prefer how I look with it on.

I find fulfillment heightened with the people I work with as they become clearer of their own views of themselves, their own thoughts and feelings.

I must admit, it means a lot that my kids like me.

Isaac and Ari spent the night with me.  We were sitting in my office.  Ari, who is nine, was in the chair I use when working, ergo, the therapist chair.  We decided to have a session.

Ari asked me if I had any problems.  I said I did not.  He asked Isaac.  Isaac said his problem was Ari.  Shocking for a brother to give this response.  Besides Ari, he said he had no problems.

Ari then said, “You may not have problems, but you still must pay for this session.”

Who is his role model?

My friend Robin and I met in San Francisco yesterday.  We decided to spend the day together having lunch and going to MOMA.   I took BART in and Robin drove from Napa.

I suggested we have lunch where I had gone with my daughter once near MOMA.  I was informed by Robin that this was her treat to celebrate my birthday.  She also gave me a lovely gift.

There was one exhibit I wanted to see, and Robin was interested in exploring the museum in general.  She loved the wall of green, being the expert gardener she is.  We walked through the photographs of Walker Evans and then went to see the Robert Rauschenberg exhibit.  I had seen the Evans one before and I thoroughly enjoyed the evolution of Rauschenberg’s works which was new to me.

I turned to Robin, who always eludes a lot of energy, and told her I was ready to end our journey.  I favor doing museums a little at a time.  Robin responded by saying she was ready to stop walking too.

I do verbalize my endings.  It turned out well again.

When my mother died, it occurred to me that I never got recipes from the few things I liked that she made. Yep, she was not a good cook.

When my son moved into his first apartment in college, he asked me for two recipes, my spaghetti sauce and a cherry chicken dish.

Recently I went to his home for dinner.  He served a chili he had made.  It was unique and wonderful.  It was spicy, my preference, but my one grandson could not add enough sour cream to make it palatable.

One of my daughters told me she made the chili and loved it.  I told my son I was going to need to get the recipe.  My plan was to ask for it this week when I go there for dinner.

Today I spoke with my daughter who was eating it as we talked.  I told her my plan to get the recipe.  She said, I can send it to you now and will have it faster than waiting to ask Erik.

And so it goes, we return the favor over time.

I was meeting my daughter in San Francisco.  I took BART in and was early.  I walked to the place I was meeting her in 30 minutes and decided to walk around and explore.

I found Dior, Armani, Coach, and a few other high end shops.  They are not where I buy things, and, in fact, I have no interest in entering and exploring.  I kept walking.

Eventually I found Banana Republic.  More my price.  I entered, found the bathroom, and, fortunately, realized it was time to meet Carrie.

For a variety of reasons, shopping is not always my thing.

My favorite son Erik Rice is Director of College and Career Pathways for the San Francisco school district. Last night I went to the annual event that showcases the programs offered in the schools.  What enhanced learning this is.

I was greeted at the door of the Palace Hotel by students who were welcoming and offering guidance to those who had questions.  I walked into the main room which was filled with tables displaying the programs, students explaining the programs and answering questions, faculty of the programs and many visitors.  It was incredible.

The students at each display explained the focus of the program and what they had learned. They represented each of the high schools.  The students were welcoming and enthused and knowledgeable.  Most planned on pursing some aspect of the program they had taken.

It was inspirational and exciting to experience a progressive way of learning.  The students are thriving.