Golf season is on Dan's mind and the spring-like temps meant it was time to get the golf cart out and ready for action. The excitement of hitting some golf shots was tempered a bit by what Dan found on the cart: the last person to use the cart was Shannon and there, on the steering wheel, was her scorecard in her handwriting: Shannon 6, 4, 5, 7 ... She was out there practicing, by herself, trying to get better. And her golf bag, just as she left it - her glove, her ball, and her tee tucked in the side pocket. As if to say, "until next time ..." Gut shot. But, Dan and I are both hoping to find some joy in playing golf this year. It's something we like to do and we like to do it together. Last summer was such a blur and focusing was a challenge. Maybe this year ...
Erin's new pursuit - volleyball - required a quick trip to the sporting goods store. Believe it or not, there was a type of ball that we did not yet own. So, with a new volleyball in tow and warm temps, we spent some time with Erin in the driveway practicing our bumping, setting and serving. After only two practices, Erin thinks she is the expert, and she felt completely confident to tell her dad that he was doing it all wrong...
As for Dan's second hobby, I selfishly am glad that Dan felt like cooking this weekend. Dan has always loved to cook. From our early days of courtship, he would make a meal plan and create some magic. Just another sign that we were meant to be together since I can't cook a lick! Over the course of the last year, partly due to living life in fast forward and partly due to stress and lack of motivation, Dan hasn't felt as much like cooking. But this weekend, he said to me "I'm excited to cook something." So, I'm taking this as a sign of progress, a sign of healing. The menu was fabulous: Saturday we had rib eye steaks, scallops on orzo, and asparagus and tonight, he grilled chicken and made parsley new potatoes and green beans. He's still got the touch...
We continued to try and put ourselves out there this weekend as well - a basketball game at the Civic Arena, a tennis event at the RAC, and mass at St. John's - and we are still seeing people for the "first time". Dan and I discussed how it's hard when people want to tell you how sorry they are or give us "the look", but then we're angry if people don't acknowledge our loss. Damn, we are hard to please. We're a work in progress, for sure. But, we will keep on trying. Each day. Persevere.
