(not necessarily in that order)
Since we’re focused on relaxing and going with the flow, I’ll be keeping my blog posts nice and short.
The top photo is from our first walk to the coastline.
Below is the cozy cottage where we’re staying. An altogether lovely spot.
After two months, it felt like we were truly moving out of the Sacramento house!
It was quite a push this morning, but we got it done and had a pleasant and uneventful three-hour drive to Pacific Grove.
We spent our first evening unpacking and settling in. but I’m looking forward to walking to the ocean tomorrow (even though it’s quite foggy, unlike in the photo).
I’ve been packing pretty much all day and am now officially out of steam.
There’s still more to do but it’s going to have to wait until the morning.
It’s actually a little sad to be leaving this space that has sheltered and nurtured us throughout this long and rather intense experience.
Feeling very grateful.
Not really, but it sort of feels that way!
Our stay here has felt somewhat never-ending; as though we’ve been here forever.
But as usual, everything speeds up as the end draws near. To the point where I find myself amazed that all of a sudden our departure for the coast is the day after tomorrow!
Gathering up all our stuff and restoring order to the house takes some doing; even though we started the process last week, there’s still plenty to do.
But then — Pacific Grove, here we come!
I think I neglected to mention that when they removed the catheter from my chest, I still had to wait another week before I could take a full shower.
It had to do with the fact that the opening where the catheter had been led to my heart, so it had to heal completely before I could allow it to get wet.
But finally the moment arrived. I am soooo grateful and hope I never take hot showers entirely for granted ever again.
Ever since my time with Ananda LA, regular pedicures have been part of my self-care routine.
But as I’m following guidance (both external and intuitive) to take my nurturing to another level, today I decided to also treat myself to a manicure.
Isn’t it pretty?
Tonight we watched “Won’t You Be My Neighbor” — the 2018 documentary about Fred Rogers.
This is the third or fourth time I’ve seen it (starting with twice in the theater back when it first came out), but I had forgotten just how powerfully moving it is. It’s so full of beautiful, loving messages that I feel I should watch it at least once a month!
Most of all, I can feel my inner child being comforted and healed with virtually everything he says. For example, this phrase that concluded every episode:
“You’ve made this day a special day, by just your being you. There’s no person in the whole world like you; and I like you just the way you are.”
Our Ananda Village choir resumed rehearsals this week after an extended pandemic hiatus and several failed comeback attempts. We’re hoping and praying that this time choir is back for good!
Although Ramesha and I aren’t there to participate yet, we’re thrilled to know it’s happening. And even more thrilled to receive this photo of everyone sending us love.
How sweet is that?!?
We can’t wait to be singing with our beloved choir family once again.
It’s interesting, really, but having the bone marrow tranpslant behind me has been slightly disorienting.
I’m no longer heading to the hospital every day, plus there are less and less precautions to think about (hallelujah!).
However, I’m rapidly adjusting and very much enjoying having both time and energy — especially for planning our trip to Pacific Grove and our return to the Village.
I’m extremely happy to have very little to report in this update.😄
It’s been two weeks since the AFib incident, with no further episodes. I’ve added back in regular energization, as well as gradually increasing the pace and distance of my morning and evening walks. The opening in my chest where the catheter was is healing well; there’s just a regular Band-Aid on it now and even that will be gone in another couple of days.
Yesterday was my final doctor’s appointment and I’m officially done! I can go for walks without wearing a mask and as of next week I can start eating in restaurants again. The doctors are no longer overly concerned about food restrictions, but I still have to avoid people (or crowds of them at least).
A week from tomorrow we’ll drive to Pacific Grove to stay in a house near the ocean for five days. A chance to relax and unwind in order to begin the process of integrating this amazingly intense period.
And then we’ll finally be homeward bound — after a full two months away. I can hardly wait.
Thank you again and again for the love, the prayers, the emails, the notes, the gifts, the voicemails, the insights, and endless support. We couldn’t have done it without you. 💖