Blessings

“May those who love us, love us; and those who don’t love us, may God turn their hearts; and if He doesn’t turn their hearts, may he turn their ankles so we’ll know them by their limping.” -Irish Blessing

Today was a day filled with blessings.

1. Early this morning, Rufus was doing his pre-urination ritual when a beautiful, tall, dread-locked Afro-Carribean man unloading a truck called out to us, “Something on that tree smells pretty good!” I replied. We smiled, shared a laugh. He was so handsome. It made me happy.
2. My boss and co-workers have been so loving and caring. Last week, over a dozen people showed up to the wake to pay respects (my boss arranged a bus, and a few others came on their own). So many colleagues have sent personal, heartfelt notes. And today, two different men stopped by to make shiva calls. We had fairly intimate, spiritual/emotional discussions. I so appreciate being in a place where humanity comes first and there’s a genuine sense of family.
3. There was the most amazing blues band in the subway station at 53^rd street near MOMA after work. Subway musicians often make me grateful to have my iPod with me, but not these guys. It was a singer, with just a couple of teeth, and a guitarist. He played Motown and Blues standards. One that really stood out was “Unchained Melody” (yes, that song from “Ghost”). Dang, did it sound good. I tossed them some dough and a giant smile. Who says people won’t pay for quality content?
4. Notes of care and concern from all kinds of places keep coming in. Someone had told me that people have a way of revealing themselves in times like these … I now understand what she meant. We all have different ways of coping and of caring for others. It is interesting to learn what people you may not know that well are made of emotionally. What they give, how much or how little. Today I received the best sympathy card ever. EVER. A dear friend from high school and college took a sympathy card and tacked on a personal message and hilarious collection of old pictures to show that “memories are forever.” It was creative, funny, thoughtful and compassionate and serious all at the same time.
5. Dinner with a beloved pal. I used to be pretty comfortable being alone, but right now I need to be around friends and people who know me. The first 2 nights back in the apartment were fairly sleepless and rough, partly because I went from work to Yoga to home without being “seen” by anyone. But today ended on a lovely note after breaking bread with Phyll and catching up on the life of the living. Mindful of this I am loading up my dancecard with as many social  plans as possible. I tend to breathe and advance with the help of others … not in isolation. Don’t we all?