Six month update

Meg took particular joy in the unfurling of fern fronds, and often pointed them out to me. I have spread some of her ashes under each of the ferns that she planted in our backyard.

Meg died October 1st, so 6 months would have been April Fools' Day, which seemed inappropriate. But it was also the first Saturday in October, so 6 months brought us to Easter and Passover (and 1 year will bring us to our favorite small town parade, Granite Falls Railroad Days).  The Saturday I spent on my first date since 1979 (hints below, details later) and on Sunday I attended a delightful lunch and a wonderful dinner!

I've been quashing the desire to share with you every little bump along my road to emotional recovery and every little misadventure in my attempts to take over the great variety of tasks around the house that I (blush!) took for granted, did not fully appreciate, and never thanked Meg adequately for. On the latter point I'll merely note that the taxes are done (Turbotax rather than Meg's #2 pencil), the grass is mown, the house is cleanish (Roomba!), I'm neither gaining nor losing weight, and I am eating my vegetables and fruit.

My emotional recovery is due in main part to the tremendous support and care I continue to get from all of you, and for which I can never thank you enough (without risking a run-on sentence). You may recall that the Swedish Hospital brain cancer caregivers' group transitioned into a widows' group, and that the widows graciously voted to invite me to join them. They support and encourage me, and demonstrate how life can go on despite what we had all been through. At the suggestion of a hospice social worker I started attending grief support groups at a local non-profit (the Healing Center). There I find support, understanding, acceptance and the realization that it could have been a whole lot worse (slim comfort but, sadly, true).

It's also where I found the date mentioned above, another recent widow. And that's enough to burden you with for now. I'll try and stay in touch occasionally if I see you actually reading this. You might care to mention to others that I've broken my long silence...