1. Morning walks. It was pretty cold some mornings, so a few weren’t as early, and with lots of snow and ice still on the ground, we had to reroute from our usual spots. Eric was gone for a few days this week, and walking with Ringo is always such a comfort.

2. More snow. It’s almost all gone now, but it made me so happy while it was here.

3. Eric being back home. It was a sad, sad week. Eric’s mom had been in the hospital and his dad called on Monday to let him know there was nothing more they could do for her and they were talking about contacting hospice and sending her home. Eric flew out the next day and was able to spend the night with his mom at the hospital. The next morning, she died. She’d struggled with lung disease for years and this past one had been particularly difficult for her, so it wasn’t a complete surprise but that doesn’t necessarily make it easier. I’m so glad Eric made it there, and so glad he was able to help his dad with what came next. When you have a good one, no one loves you like your mom, no one gives you that exact same feeling of “home.” After 30+ years, she was my family too, and without her I wouldn’t have my little family, my home. It’s so weird, sad, and awful that I won’t ever get to see her again.

4. Practice. This was the first Friday morning in a while that everyone made it to our writing group. It was so nice to have everyone together again. I canceled my yoga class, as it was the morning after Patsy had died and I was too in my own feelings to hold space for other people.

5. My tiny family, small house, little life. When you lose someone, it makes you even more grateful for who is still here.

Bonus joy: getting in the pool, sitting in the sauna with Eric, the hydromassage chair, zooming with Chloe’, texting with Chris and Stacey, canceled plans, honey mustard pretzels, clean sheets, listening to podcasts, laundry, a warm mug of green tea, my weighted blanket, libraries and librarians, poets and poetry, watching TV, down blankets and pillows, soft merino wool shirts, headlamps, other people’s dogs and kids, people who leave their Christmas lights up and on all winter, the lights in Old Town, pizza, Japanese gardens, sharing reels with Carrie and Kari and Shellie, that my experience with my dad ended up helping Eric when the time came for him to experience something similar, the people who show up, the people who stay, my Shakti mat, blankets, reading in bed at night while Eric and Ringo sleep.

1. Morning walks, which this week were closer to afternoon walks because it was so cold in the mornings. Luckily at eleven years old, Ringo doesn’t mind from time to time having a lazy morning, his lunch, and THEN a walk. We got more snow, finally have some in the foothills, and are getting a bit more today.

And even though it’s a sign of climate change, of the environmental crisis, I can’t help loving all the videos people have posted of dogs in the south seeing snow for the first time.

2. Practicing together. There weren’t any dogs, but Teri got to come to yoga at Red Sage this week, so there was lots of joking and laughing. I adore not having to be “serious” and that group brings me so much joy. It was only three of us in our Friday morning writing sangha, but Chloe’ brought poems and Cynthia brought the snark and it was exactly what I needed. And even though I sit by myself when I meditate in the morning, I know that I am not alone. 

3. My mom’s caretaking team. The healthcare professionals available to her where she lives mostly stink (if you can even get an appointment), but her direct caregivers (Chris, Jessamy, Shannon, and Kylie) are SO good. I am so grateful to them. However, I’m thinking we probably shouldn’t let Chris dress her anymore, since for her Dr. appointment this week, she looked like a toddler who picked out their own outfit and I think her slippers were on the wrong feet. 🙂

4. Books and authors, libraries and librarians. These have been central, essential, and constant in my life for the full 57 years, and every year, they become even more important and precious to me. 

5. My tiny family, small house, little life. I love it here so much.

Bonus joy: Ringo in his purple coat, the crunch of snow under our feet, down pillows and blankets and coats, snowtires, the pool, the hydromassage chair, sitting in the sauna, texting with Chloe’ and Chris, lip balm, a mug of hot green tea, other people’s dogs and kids, sharing reels and memes with Shellie and Kari and Carrie, mashed potatoes, raspberries, gummies, purple, training with Shelby and the gang, popcorn, listening to podcasts, drive through pharmacy pick ups, the twinkle lights in Old Town, poetry and poets, my Shakti mat, naps, a warm shower, a big glass of clean cold water, online bill pay, Libby, eBooks, water heaters and furnaces, baking, movies, music, Eric at home napping on the couch, reading on my Kindle in bed at night while Eric and Ringo sleep.