I've been on the receiving end of some really sweet gestures lately. Some day, I may share what they were or give suggestions of nice things to do for others. Not tonight. I'm a bit wiped out right now. I can say that I am happy with the way things are going right now, for the most part. There is a whole lot to process, though- or maybe processing is asking too much.

Regardless... I have been very impressed with people lately. Not the general public, but specific people I know or have gotten to know. and it's been good to see people where they're at and with what they're dealing with. and hard. There's this co-worker who has been having a tough life- you can just see the pain on his face- and I wrote him an encouraging, honest note, and he wrote me a post-it saying how much it meant and handed it to me with tears in his eyes. It might be painful for guys to see gals cry, but I assure you it works both ways. You know something is majorly wrong or at least that a guy feels really comfortable around you when you see that.
Then, there are the strangers on the Metro. Some people are really comfortable chatting it up with each other. That is me sometimes (thanks, Dad). Today, it was with two guys who stood with me most of the journey home. One (50-something?) was nostalgic about the past and change. He talked about Ft Lauderdale (sound familiar?) and how much it's changed over the years and mentioned death a few times (his parents) and traveling and life. He didn't seem to get me not living near my family. He made it seem like a matter of time before I'd go 'home.' Maybe he thought I was a college student? Maybe his perspective on what is important in life tailored his opinion? Irregardless, it was interesting. The other guy 30or 40-something) seemed more adventurous, but that could have just been his outfit and stance. He mostly stuck to the topic of public transportation vs private (cost, etc). Talking helped us all connect and for me at least distracted from the tight quarters and 'long' ride. I dropped out of the conversation when they talked about sports at the end.

The last thing I will write about is that my great-grandma died last weekend. I didn't know 'til today, and that upset me. I thought maybe my family was trying to hide it from me until I came home again (as a way of protecting me). I hadn't called last weekend, so maybe i was to 'blame.' Anyway, I found out in a backwards way when my aunt e-mailed an article about my G-Gma. I thought, 'Oh, how interesting! I wonder why the newspaper interviewed her?' Then I saw that it was an obituary. Lately, she hadn't been doing well, so it was time for her to go... She would have been 88 later on this month.  After talking with relatives, one of whom thought I knew, it was apparent that it was just a matter of time before they told me. They are all going through their own thing processing it. We didn't spend a lot of time together, so maybe I can share all my memories here: 1) Sad Sam in tow, we visit my great-grandparents (maternal side). After talking outside with a cousin who was fake-baked way too dark, we milled around the house and backyard for a bit. (great-)Grandma W___'s favorite candy, saltwater taffy, was offered. When we're back in the car, I ask about Sad Sam's story. (I was probably 6), When I was born, my great-grandparents gave it to me as a gift. It was my favorite stuffed animal (dog) that I carried around since then. 2) In high school, my great-grandparents lived in Texas. I'm pretty sure my grandparents went to visit them, but that means a long road trip... but regardless, we were given the hugest oranges with the thinnest peels I've ever had, from the Mexican border. My brother may have gotten a cowboy hat, and me an ivory stone elephant. 3) 2006: visited Great-Grandma in the nursing home. She looked so tiny and fragile. We brought her pictures from over the years, and all went in a room to spread them out and hear stories. She had a positive attitude and seemed to enjoy it.
I'll conclude with the thought of unfulfilled dreams. I thought it would be neat to have a 5-generation picture taken with some future child of mine, up through Great-Grandma. She was the last great-grandparent of ours. I was bummed until I decided to be there for future generation pictures. I plan on living long, at least. I guess I haven't done them an age-favor, though ;). (The average age for Mom, Gma & G-GMa having their daughters is 20.)