This morning I went to a Zoom memorial service for two people who were at one time a huge part of my life. I met Nancy and Ray in Fort Worth, though Ray attended the osteopathic college in Chicago where I worked. We could have run into each other but didn’t. They were close friends from the mid-sixties until whenever they retired to Santa Fe, and after that I visited them often, sometimes staying in their home. Once I went to a week-long writing workshop there, lived in their guest room, and rented a sporty convertible. Boy, did I think I was big stuff.
Nancy
and Ray were married for sixty-three years, and while I loved them both, Nancy
and I particularly shared a lot—life’s ups and downs with doctors/husbands, children,
careers, my divorce, some family trauma with them. Today it was so satisfying
to see their three children, now in at least their late fifties and beyond,
well settled in life. They did an outstanding job of remembering their parents
and sharing those warm memories with us. I’m almost beginning to think Zoom is a
great way to do a funeral, though I guess I still prefer, when possible, the
traditional service in the church. Certainly in quarantine times Zoom allows us
to find the closure that we all need after a loss.
One of
the memories shared today was of a place called the Public House, a
restaurant/meeting area that Nancy started in Fort Worth with a friend. Nancy
did all the cooking, and it was hearty, good food. But it was so much more.
Groups met there, people came to drink coffee and see who was there to visit
with. A bookstore started in one corner of the huge space. It was innovative
and forward-thinking, and I was glad to be reminded today of how special it
was.
Tonight
as a bonus from the memorial, I had a long talk with an old friend in New York
City. She too was at the memorial service—we had shared these mutual friends.
We caught up with each other’s families and goings on. She loves living in the
city, while to me Fort Worth is already too big, and I can’t imagine living in
New York City. We also talked about mutual friends from our TCU days. It’s
interesting to me that my connections to friends are so multi-layered. I’ve
noticed over the years that when I introduce friends to each other they then
become good friends. A nice compliment, I think.
Today
was one of those balmy days that can fool you in North Texas—temperature probably
in the sixties and sunny most of the day. But when the sun goes down, the air
chills quickly. Subie and Phil came for happy hour, and Christian built a fire
in the fire pit while Jordan turned on the outdoor heater. I wore a cozy jacket
and had an afghan over my knees—pretty comfortable, though I wouldn’t have
wanted to stay much longer than we did. Cold weather puts a real crimp in our
quarantine socializing plans, though even on the patio we only socialize with
those we know have also been quarantining. As Subie said tonight, we are in a
pod.
my Christmas front door
Now,
it’s late, and we’re waiting on the cook who got a late start on supper.
Marinated chicken breasts and salad—sounds yummy.
Warmer
weather coming this week—until Christmas Eve when a cold front will hit. Enjoy
the sunny days while you can.
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