Hi! I ate breakfast downstairs at eight this a.m. I liked going down so early: it feels homey in the dining room, and like the whole day is before you still. Morning light is so soothing. It makes the people's faces softer-looking, and they are still slightly rumpled-looking, or else bright and freshly made up.
I gave Roscoe a dog biscuit, so now he likes me especially well. He's so cute - I'll have to get a good picture of him. (Btw, Mark's been so busy at work, he hasn't been able to get pictures for me, but I asked him to this morning. Hope he gets to do that!)
I felt like I was in a California reality series when I had breakfast. I really took advantage of the choices here: I had a scrambled egg (theirs are actually tasty), sliced avocado, a banana, and strawberries, along with sparkling cranberry juice (I have club soda with some juice added) and my own little teapot of hot cocoa.
Doesn't that sound divine? It was. The strawberries were like none other I've had - perfectly red, al dente and unblemished, although they didn't have a lot of flavor. The avocado was perfectly ripe and evenly peeled and sliced, with nary a spot to spoil its beautiful colors. I munched and poured and drank my cocoa, happily reading my book in leisure. Wow! So much for frozen meals - this is service! Lol.
I couldn't help but think about the Nazis during the war, at Eagle's Nest, Hitler's aerie and second headquarters. While the rest went hungry, they dined on special delicacies squirreled away just for them.
I also thought of the rest of the world, including our country, and how they eat what they can get. They probably (like me, before) have no idea how the privileged class really eats and lives. But I didn't let it stop my enjoyment of the meal. :)
I really get a good view of things living here. There are really, really nice people here, but I don't know much about their lives or how they got their money. Some were probably pretty powerful; I know some were high up in the military. And now they are retired, living the good life, but they are also shrunken and bent, barely staying in their loose clothing that used to fit, dependent on others to dress them and take care of their other needs.
Some are couples, with an able, active spouse staying with their invalid mate. Many are both disabled. I see them using walkers, then wheelchairs. Then they die. They decline or sicken or go suddenly, but they all die. It's inevitable.
When I observe this progression from wealth and power to old age and death, it is striking how little the money mattered, after all. It may have been a tool for doing good, even, but we all leave the earth the same way.
I was talking to Mark this morning about what adjectives he would like to describe him, what words he would aspire to. I told him I would like: gracious, kind, intelligent, fun, loyal, imaginative and affectionate. Open to life and to people, as much as possible while maintaining my sanity. Also humble and grateful.
I told him that I would use these words for him: tenderhearted, intelligent, obedient, a gifted teacher and healer, hard-working and dependable, loyal to the truth, fun, grateful, generative, insightful, and a people-person (over four feet tall and not in crowds ;).
I asked him if those words were what he would aspire to, and he said yes. I told him that's how he already is, really. We become what we admire over time, with God's help. Isn't it funny how we don't appreciate what we actually are?
We are simply children of God. That's all and that's enough, with His help.
We can do this thing. And we can leave this earth with what we have become.
I'm sticking with The Plan!
I love you all.
xoxoxo
