I feel like things are moving in the right direction for me. My health is improving, my energy level is increasing, and my connections with others are strengthening.

Recovery from recent surgery (nothing life threatening, but not fun either) is going well. At first it was awful. The “one week off before returning to work” just did not work for me. That one week turned into two, and my recent paycheck took a hit because of it. My situation with time off is a little complex, and the long and short of it is I took more hours off than I had available, so my pay was docked. Oh well. One body, one life, one extra week to heal. It was worth it. Now I’m up and around, energy is back, and although I’m not 100%, I’m well on my way. I’m also living in a smaller, easier to manage body, and that’s a huge plus.

During that recovery period, I was scheduled to host our monthly Bunco game. With the help of my sweetheart and my amazing friends (not to mention my favorite pizza place), I was able to pull it off with very little effort. They did just about everything, and my kitchen was pristine before the last girls left. I love those ladies; spending time with them is good for the soul.

The following day we had a low key lunch planned at another friend’s house, and I was pampered and fussed over and generally cared for in a way that only your girlfriends can do.

Speaking of girlfriends, not too long ago I received a text that one of our longtime online scrapbooking club friends had passed away. This online group changed my life in so many positive ways. I got active in the group when my son was about three years old. He’s well on his way to 30.

I made lifelong friends in the group, including my dear friend who lived on the same street as me. Yes, we met on the internet, but lived less than a mile apart in the same neighborhood. In addition to being neighbors, we realized there were some odd coincidences between our lives. For example, my son’s first and middle names are her two sons’ names (in the same order). There are other weird things too, but you get the idea. It was fate, plain and simple.

Anyway… this group became a huge part of my life for several years. We had multiple get togethers, and I was lucky enough to participate in events across four different states. Friday nights we had online chats that kept us connected. We had challenges and swaps and all sorts of fun things, but mainly we were there for each other. Births, deaths, marriages, divorces… we saw it all, and we shared genuine affection for one another. It was a remarkable experience.

We lost our first member way too young. Cancer. Not much more to say. Then, this month we lost another. Also cancer. Horrible. But her passing, and the woman who we affectionately refer to as the “team captain” brought us back together. Our team captain shared the sad news in a group text, and it allowed us to reconnect. Many of us have been online friends over the decades, but we lost touch with others. All of a sudden, there they were. We were talking again. Sharing news. Sharing updated pictures. What a gift. Our friend would have been so happy to know that she had a part in bringing us back together.

Now my formerly down the street friend and I live miles apart, but we have plans to get together. It’s been too long. We try to see one another now and then, but life often interferes. Not this time. She invited me to come along with her to a workshop to try something new. I’m in. I don’t know if I’ll enjoy the activity, but I know for certain that I’ll enjoy the company. These recent events have reminded me that life can be unpredictable. Take the trip, call the friend, try the new activity, get outside. Take time to notice it all, especially your people. And pets. Don’t forget your pets.

OH!! And I almost forgot to mention. I’M GOING TO SEE BTS!!!!!!! But that’s a whole other story.