a touch of gratitude

I was looking at a small video made in  2024  when I was in the hospital recovering from a heart procedure.  We lived in senior housing and had made many friends there.  Judy had me create the film to answer the barrage of questions from friendly residents there.  With a raspy voice I described how I was doing and expressed my deepest gratitude to folks that had cared for me.  

We met up with friends yesterday at Mother Handsome in Oak Park yesterday.  One of my old pals brought her grand baby named Eleanor and husband to the outing.  At 18 months,  she was a real cutie running around in this place that had play area for kids of which there were  many.  The area was closed off to prevent escapees.  It was very fun to see these folks from my past but even more fun watching and listening to the clatter of the kids in the environment.  Our grand kids are now teens living here and school age youngsters living in Middleville.  So, no more toddlers; girls moving around carefully looking for grandmas approval and boys slamming around racing across the room.  

Amidst the disorder and chaos bringing more surprises each day, little gifts like these children give a lightness to the day.  Am grateful for them.

Going to dinner tonight with my wonderful sister Joan and husband John.  I don't see enough of her basically due to distance and different lives.  Trying to remedy that.  

I am not that guy in the video any longer, hopefully having gained some perspective on life's important moments.

flowers for upcoming spring.

thats it