Gifts Galore!
I have received so many wonderful gifts lately, from divinations that Danielle, my massage therapist gave me, to the gift of the massage itself that Wanda gave me, to the gift of life that I have every day.
At Jazz Fest, I ran into my friends Paula and Erin, and Paula hands me a wooden Ethiopian Star of David pendant, and says: “This belongs to you.” It brought tears to my eyes for all the reasons you could string together that are bringing up Tin in the Jewish faith to the book on Ethiopian Jews that I now keep on my coffee table.
I saw in the window at Swirl and a Frenchman bought me a glass of Pinot Noir from Sonoma County. It was the end of a long day of Jazz Fest and a much needed respite was required. Poof – it appeared.
In order to live in a world larger than the one he lives in, I have hoped that my son would be an international man, capable of being at home in many territories in language and body. He’s been speaking Croatian since he was a baby and now is adding Spanish to his capacity. Thank God his other parent is European.
I was reminded once again of what it is like to leave your care to someone you trust. My friend Brian was visiting from New York. I can count on one hand having had a man cook for me. It became this thing for a long time, my friends told me I had to get a man to cook a meal for me by a certain time. I met that deadline when a colleague prepared a picnic lunch in Shanghai. This last weekend Brian laid down a gourmet breakfast for me and his wife. True luxury.
My friend and I were at the grocery and we were leaving with our bags, when she noticed the peonies. “My favorite,” she declared. And they’re my favorite too, who could resist treating yourself to flowers and the season’s first peonies.
