I knew what it was before I opened it.

As soon as I took the letter from my mailbox, I knew the contents. My doctor has announced her retirement.

I am upset about this because I found her so easy to talk to and I really trusted her. And because I hate change.

Part of me is happy for her, though. She worked hard and unfailingly displayed compassion, which has to be draining. Yes, the unselfish part of me hopes she enjoys a peaceful next chapter.

Unfortunately, the unselfish part of me is the smallest part.

I don't know what to think ...

Spent Sunday with John, finally celebrating his July 3rd birthday. It was bittersweet, and it left me feeling confused.

He is so very thin and needs a cane to walk. I wasn't expecting that. I know he's been ill, he told me that he was having a hard time adjusting to the new heart medications, but still I was shocked by the toll 2019 has taken on my old friend.

He said some genuinely odd things. We stopped at the Chicago History Museum -- his request, as I was just there a month ago. They have a permanent Lincoln exhibit that includes the bed where the great man died back in 1865. I said that when I first saw it, as a little girl, it made me sad that Abe literally died at an angle, because the bed wasn't long enough for him. I felt so sorry for him.

To which John said, "So, Gal, who do you think had a more horrible death? Lincoln or Sharon Tate?"

Excuse me? How the fuck did we get to Sharon Tate from Lincoln's deathbed?

He didn't really look at anything because he can't see without the glasses he refuses to wear. Likewise when we got to the pizzeria for dinner, he asked the waiter if they had any "veggie options."

"Half the menu is labeled 'veggie,' sir."

After the waiter left, John went off on one of his diatribes about millennials. But it was a ridiculous question.

John hates millennials. And crowds. And ride shares. And men who bring their phones into the restroom. And ... and ... and ...

My friend is a grumpy old man at 64. I'm having a hard time adjusting to this.

On the bright side -- and there's always a bright side -- he seemed to have fun. I made him laugh, and that made me happy. I am confident he felt he had a good birthday afternoon, and I guess that's what I should I concentrate on.

August Happiness Challenge -- Day 6

Today's happiness -- "The Gal Show." Spent the day down at the client's HQ and I presented new creative to six people in the room and another two who teleconferenced. The room was mine for 45 minutes.

I was hitsville! Andy and Brian, two of the more senior in the room, went out of their way to tell me how well I'd done. Andy was kind enough to say, "I always enjoy The Gal Show," referencing the last time I presented -- back in March. Andy is a Mr. Big down there, so knowing he remembers me was a thrill.

 

Each day in August you are to post about something that makes *you* happy. Pretty simple. And, it doesn't even have to be every day if you don't want it to be. It's a great way to remind ourselves that there are positive things going on in our lives, our communities, and the world.