I woke up early this morning. I woke Matt up, made us a cup of coffee. We chatted about the day to come. It felt good to have company in my home. To have someone to talk about what I’ve experienced, what they’re experiencing without expectation or attempts to fix things has been deeply satisfying.

Maybe it’s just because I haven’t been able to really talk with many people over the last six weeks that I feel this way. When I was with people I love, it was like having a witness to my life and I to theirs. It was a bonding that was brought about by shared experiences which made those memories sensory markers. And yet, as I sat with him this morning, it was good. He left for work and I was ready for the day.

Jen came over and collected the goodies I brought back for her. It tickled her pink to see what I’d brought for her. Farts! I forgot to take pictures of what I already gave away! I gave her a tile created by Ana which had a beautifully painted fish raised up on it. She had helped me paint my fish project so it was meaningful on many levels. I gave her a bright blue towel with colorful sardines on it. I also gave her a tree of life necklace on a cork “string”. I sent her home with a white Buddha statue for her husband Todd that I got in France. Hers came from Portugal.

A few of the things I brought back got broken in transit. I was able to repair them with gorilla glue. They aren’t as pretty as they were, but they look okay now.

I gave my neighbor Miss Ruth who took care of my home, cat, and watched over my son while I was gone, a spoon rest with the legendary Portuguese cock on it. I also gave her a royal blue towel with the cock on it and a spatula with colorful sardines on it. Finally, I finished it off with a chestnut that I brought back from France. I got her what I did because around the holidays she brings over large plates of food for me and typically the leftovers that Mr. Tony won’t eat. She spoils me with gifts on the holidays and the chicken pillow she gave me for Christmas went with me on my travels.

Miss Sharon came over next. I gave her a rock and a chestnut. She told me how glad she was to see me and it felt like home again.

I went to the doctor who scolded me about my diet. I told him how I walked everywhere when I was in France. He said, “It looks like you ate everywhere too.” I didn’t gain or lose anything while over there but my pants are fitting better. I don’t have to stress the seams of my pants any more. I have to return to get another scan of my face and mandible per his request. It’s going to take some work to get it down but it will happen.

I took deep delight when I was brought into the exam room and there was my painting hanging on the wall. Holy crap! I was jazzed. I also came up with a few other ideas. I can’t pay them with money because I don’t have it, but I have plenty of talent so I’ll keep giving them the art I create to make the exam rooms come to life instead of being so danged beige.

Life isn’t always what we hoped for or expected, but that I get to learn and enjoy what I have is truly a gift.

As for the title, I haven’t been home 24 hours before I locked myself out of the house and had to be rescued. Oh for Pete’s sake! All is good. Life is good. I’m happy, warm, and loved. It can’t get much better, can it? I bet I’m wrong.

May peace find you wherever you are or go. You are loved.