G&J and their son, were in town for the weekend. G&J are two of my oldest friends. We went to university together and lived together for many years back then. 

The husband and I took them on a low key tour of some of Seattle's sights-- the Space Needle, the Chihuly Glass Museum, interesting neighborhoods.

We had many good conversations. Retirement and mortality are hot topics, especially since SG's death last month. SG's death has hit G hard. In fact G was with SG's wife when they took him off life support.

And then there is my mother-- she has had a second stroke. She is back in the hospital. She has lost most of the use of her right arm. This time, our family response is a little more muted. A little more "wait and see." 

With mom's first stroke we had this optimism that she would fully recover. All mom needed was some time and help from her family and friends. With this second stroke we realize that assisted living is in mom's future. Full recovery may never come. She and dad must make plans that respect this. 

Work is fairly intense this week. I've had to catch up on many issues that I didn't deal with over the past month.

Unexpectedly the husband had some friends in town. Originally they just had a layover at the Seatac airport, however their departure flight was delayed by hours, so we had the time to have lunch with them.

In the evening, the husband and I had our first date night in over a month. We went out and saw Barbie. What a great movie. This is the second movie we've watched in theaters since the pandemic started. I enjoyed Barbie in the theater. I'm not sure I would have enjoyed it less at home on our large TV.

  

I am back in Seattle after spending a month in Ontario. It feels good to be home and sleep in my own bed.

Our dog ignored me when we first opened the door. She was very excited to see my husband, but when she saw me, she looked and sniffed, then turned around and ran back to him.

I’ve gained ten pounds in the past month. It’s hard to say no to pie when your father places a piece in front of you after dinner. My dad is not open to conversations about a heart-healthy diet. He is seventy-nine years old and has lived this way for years. If he changed his diet and something went wrong, he would blame it on the new diet.

My brother has also left my parents’ home. I hope all goes well with my parents. My parents now have personal support workers, but as a cousin put it, my mother has dementia, diabetes, has survived cancer, and is recovering from a stroke. We want her to recover and will work and pray for that, but we must accept that major recovery would be a miracle.

Saturday was SG's celebration of life. It was well attended-- about 200 people. Somber. Sincere. Many friends gave heartfelt tributes. 

Afterwards, a few of us, including DM (the widow), gathered at a friend's house. It was good to unwind a bit. DM's closest friends have done much to support her. The Celebration of life took work to organize and carry off. It was good to spend a few hours with friends, just relaxing. 

We are in Toronto, hanging out with friends, including DM, the widow of my friend GS. 

DM seems to be doing well. Or as well as can be expected. There are moments when she is quiet and a little teary. But she is laughing again. She smiles and engages in conversations.

This morning over breakfast, we discussed her going back to work. Her job is very supportive of taking time off. She said she wants something to do with her time other than sit around and grieve.