Sneak Attack

My old friend Grief pays me a visit, and I buy it ice cream

Dear Friends,

Grief is often compared to bodies of water. An ocean tide that ebbs and flows, a wave that knocks you off your feet, or a humming river running through every moment of your day.

This week, my grief was more like a leak in the roof. I didn’t notice it at first, just a drip of listlessness, a drop of melancholy. It wasn’t until the trickles of sadness had pooled around me that I realized what it was: I was wading in grief.

My dad’s death anniversary was approaching, and my body knew before my brain did.

Instead of trying to patch up the leak, I just let it pour down over me. Then I sat in it, sopping wet with longing.

One morning, I rested on Dad’s favorite seat on the porch. Another day, I lingered in bed for what felt like forever. I stared off into the distance. I treated myself to ice cream for lunch. I called my mom. I looked through old photos of Dad, and I rediscovered a video of him laughing so hard he’s wheezing.

Then I started laughing, too.

And I realized the puddle had dried up.

I know grief will strike again, because that’s what grief* does. And I know that I’ll stumble my way through it—with tears and laughter and ice cream—because that’s what I do.

xo Christine

*What is grief, if not love persevering?

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Good Things

• Watching our favorite team mascot, J, bring cheer to a crowd

• DIY Connections puzzles and how my kids are so good at making ones that stump me

• The Diplomat is back, and Keri Russell is a revelation

• Swapping out the buttons on my cardigan makes it feel brand new

• Nacho Night

• A bowl of Cuties as both decoration and nutrition

• I still can’t believe I get paid to draw

• Babies on Zoom

• My friend Debi’s dance moves

• Storytellers honing their craft

• Two dates in one week with my favorite person

• Candy bowls filled with the classics

Remember these?

Good Quote

This one is from one of Rama’s young but wise students!

Good Deed of the Day

Give someone your full attention. Active listening, eye contact, the whole shebang.