Moments D577: A daughter's letters to her Father

Today my friend posted one of the most heart warming and heart wrenching posts to Facebook I think I've ever seen.  Her father passed away on Monday and the family has begun to clean up his belongings, they came across something that was incredibly touching.

This is what her mother found:  

It is a letter my friend had written to her dad when she was 11.  It was found in her father's night stand.  He had saved it there, close to him and obviously treasured, for over 30 years.

I was so very touched by her sharing this moment in her life.  I immediately thought of the notes and poems I have written my own father over the years.  I couldn't help but share the posting out loud with those in earshot of my office.  The flood of emotion from each person listening was incredible.  

Our AD shared that he too has saved all of his daughter's cards and notes.  After a lengthy pause of reflection, he continued to share that he sometimes thought he was being silly saving these pieces, but now, having heard my friends story, he's decided to keep on saving these special moments from his daughter.

One man's death has touched many (as witnessed by the busy wake last night).  Today, he's touched a few more well outside his circle.  And, in the end, he's likely inspired a moment to be felt and shared many years from now when our AD's daughter finds, and realizes, just how much her words were treasured by her father.

Moments sharing intimate, emotional thoughts.

Moments knowing that share has inspired another intimate emotional moment.

Moments D576: A wake

A dear friend's father passed away on Monday.  While he had been sick for some time, his death wasn't expected so soon.  Regardless of the circumstance, death is never easy for those left behind.

Tonight EQ and I attended the first evening of the family's wake.  I'm always nervous at such gatherings, especially when I don't know the extended family.  But I'm also a firm believer in sharing my love and light in dark moments like this.  My fears and needs are insignificant in comparison.  It's my job as a friend (or family member) to bring extra energy to those in need at times like this.

Fortunately as we entered the room my friend and her husband were easily found.  We immediately made our way to them and shared our condolences.  This, regrettably, was the first meeting between my friends and EQ.  Unfortunate circumstances, but sometimes life throws curve balls at you.

They were surprised to see us and after our exchange of words of sympathy and hugs, I, in turn, was surprised given that we were in a funeral home at my friend's father wake.

My girlfriend stepped back and then gave EQ a thorough one-over.  With a raised eyebrow and a twinkle of mischief she commented on his "adorable dimple".    I followed along and asked which one was out?  The evil one or the good one?  And she laughed.

She laughed.

She continued her inspection and then noted EQ's cleft chin.  She proceeded to call him adorable again and that he "was too much to take in all at once."  All the while a laugh in her voice.  And then she let out a big hearty laugh.

A moment of brightness in a very dark time.  Beautiful.  Simple.

Moments consoling a friend, worth every ounce of nervousness.

Moments of shared pain, peppered with healing laughter.

Moments D575: Food Surprises

Tonight I had a hankering for Indian food and while I had a good chat with my ND about the best Indian restaurant in the area to order from, I actually ended up making dinner tonight.

Okay, that's not entirely true.  I had some butter chicken with chickpeas that I made up awhile ago and froze the leftovers.  After thawing the main course out, I propped it up a bit by adding more sauce and some paneer to the mix and let it come to a simmer as I made some raita and kachumber as sides.  EQ watched the basmati rice and by the time I was done making the sides we were ready for dinner.

And I was drooling!  Seriously.  Perhaps that's TMI, but I was hungry and I was about to enjoy a meal that I knew I'd love.

EQ, on the other hand was feeling tentative about the meal.  I had no idea.

Just after digging in, I asked EQ how the meal was.  (Every chef wants to know if their offerings were enjoyable!)  His answer surprised me.  "It's good.  Much better than I expected."

Huh?

So I dug into that a bit.  Seems EQ was pretty certain that he wasn't going to enjoy my butter chicken, that it would be okay, but not something enjoyable.  I felt badly!  I was so excited at the prospect of this meal that I hadn't stop to think that maybe it was something that would be outside EQ's comfort zone.  After all, I know he's had curries before!

And then the strangest thing happened.  EQ wanted seconds.  He rarely does seconds.  Bangarang!  

Now that was an awesome moment.

Moments sharing my love of food with the one I love.

Moments where they joyfully connect.

Moments D574: Teacups and Poppies

Today on my drive into work I saw a very tall, thickly built man walking in the opposite direction.  Not really anything interesting, afterall, it's rush hour and people are heading to work.

But, as I watched, a flash of white caught my attention.  I watched as he delicately sipped from a blue floral, intricate china tea cup.  You know the kind, the ones with fancy handles and metallic rims.  How very strange to see, but it made me stop and smile.

And then, I watched him climb into a big 'ol white pickup truck that had a big, bright, red poppy attached to its grill.  So awesome!  That's one cool, I-know-who-I-am-and-what-I-like kind of person.  I chuckled at that visual and I loved sharing that moment with him.

It was a great start to my day!

Moments being caught by surprise by complete strangers.

Moments appreciating someone else's morning ritual.

Moments D573: Family laughter

Today EQ & I met my Mom & Dad in Burlington (half way from their house to our house) for lunch.   Why on earth did we do that?  Well, it was important to my Mom & Dad to have some time with EQ before he heads back to SoCal.  Yes.  He's had some impact on my circles.  That's what happens when you have an amazing man enter your world.  Your amazing world shifts and envelopes him with their love and light too.

But I digress from today's moment. My moment today happened as we were finishing up our lunch. 

As a child, my family used to sit together for dinner well until I was in my mid/late teens.  It wasn't simply a tradition of sitting and eating, no, dinner was always a place of conversation, shared stories and, often, a lot of laughter.  So much laughter that there were nights that we left the dinner table with full bellies that hurt from all the laughter.

Not 20 minutes after sharing that family memory with EQ, did we have a reenactment of said experience.

My Dad, the jokester he is, dropped a blur of words on my Mom that had us all a wee shocked, which was followed quickly by deep, rolling, belly laughter.  It didn't take long before my Mom, bright red, was wiping the laughter tears from her eyes and each of us struggled to swallow the galloping laughter.  There were pauses of laughter, but all it took was one small look from one to another at the table to engulf the entire table in laughter again.  We laughed so hard and for so long that our faces and stomachs hurt!  

And, as we are known to do, we were not quiet about it.  Not even in the very busy restaurant!  

So much so, that our server, whom we had already paid, dropped by to make sure we were all okay.  Of course, this only caused another round of laughter between us all.

No there was nothing "funny" in the water.  We're just silly people enjoying what we can out of life.

Why not right?  Life is too short.

Moments being silly.

Moments inflamed with belly-aching laughter that follows you for the rest of the day.

Moments D572: Parking Ticket

Why on earth would I list a parking ticket as a moment that made me smile?

Well, it's a good tale.

Tonight EQ & I met up with Archie & Comic Guy at Arizona's place for dinner.  She had a dinner party to spend some time with EQ before he heads back to SoCal.  Arizona had her best friend join us, so we were a table of six enjoying a delightfully home cooked meal.  We spent the entire evening swapping stories followed by much laughter.  It was, truly, a perfect evening.  

Those of us who drove were somewhat concerned at getting a parking ticket.  (After midnight, in most areas of the city, parking on the streets requires a permit.).  We thought we would play it safe and said our goodbyes around 12:15 am.  When we walked up to the car, it was plain as day that a ticket had already been issued.  {sigh}  The ticket, for $30, was issued at 12:08 am.    

For the briefest of moments I paused and a thought flickered.  EQ & I would have easily spent more than $30 going out for the tasty dinner that we enjoyed tonight.  The fact that we were able to enjoy the home cooked, love infused food prepared by Arizona at the cost of a $30 ticket seemed highly under valued.

And so, I smiled as I pulled the ticket from under my windshield wiper.  A good deal after all.

Crazy?  Ya maybe.  But life's too short.

Moments flipping perceptions around.

Moments finding the silver lining.

Moments D571: Rose Petals

Tonight I arrived home from work to a trail of rose petals and candles.  

Yes.  Really.  As I walked up the stairs, I followed the petals to the top of the stairs.  At the very top was this single beautiful rose.  Wow.  I found myself surprised and intrigued. 

I opened the door and found the trail continued inside.  Following the petals and the candles I found myself in the bedroom where a massage awaited me to melt away the stress of the past week.

Wow.  What a surprise at the energy invested to make it happen..  With all the tender love and romance in the air, I was filled with joy.  It was a moment unlike any other I've ever had before.

Moments of surprise.

Moments filled with love.