Enjoying My Solitude
“...It is just the pressure. It’s not a sin. We pray that our minds won't turn towards terrible things but sometimes they do and it is beyond our control.” --Ann Patchett, BEL CANTO, a novel
I have free time on my hands because Alan—being the kind son that he is—planned a trip for his mom (GLORIA) to ITALY from March 15th through March 27th. I know they’ll have a great time. What a wonderful 70th Birthday present for Gloria. I’m sure it will be fun to hear about their adventures upon their return. Meanwhile, I get to do my routine work at Charles Schwab & Co. from 8-4pm and I’ve added extended bike riding time in and around the Pacific Palisades. I also have my writing, reading and sleeping time. While Alan is gone it is a good test of my finding balance and enjoying my solitude.
I received a floral card from Pat Crowley (the teacher in San Francisco that I assisted back in 1989). Her letter reminded me to never fall down—if you can help it:
March 16, 1985 Hi Michael,
Good to hear from you. I don’t envy you having to make a move while your residence is being repaired. So many Californians have lost their homes or have so much water damage from the recent rains. Our state has certainly been through much during the past 5 years.
I enjoyed Asia also but if I had a choice between going to Europe or Asia my first choice would be Europe. I guess it’s because of our roots. I’ve worked with the Asian population for most of my career and am very familiar with their culture and philosophy.
I had ‘33’ students this school year. Quite a few more boys than girls. Needless to say, I haven’t seen any of them since January 13th. The next day (January 14th) which was Saturday I was carrying groceries upstairs from the basement at my mothers’ home when I turned around to retrieve more bags, missed three steps completely, flew into space and landed on the cement floor with my feet bent under my body. I fractured both of my ankles. The left one wasn’t damaged like the right one which has a metal plate, screws and pins holding it together. That will be permanent unless I decided to have those materials removed in about 2 years, but it would mean surgery and going under anesthesia again.
I had a splint in my right foot for 5 weeks. I had to use my left foot to hop around with and the aid of a walker because I couldn’t put any weight on my right foot. I had to call 911 to be transported to the Emergency Room at Presbyterian Hospital for a week for Physical Therapy. I’m now in a walking cast which was applied February 23rd. I started out using my walker and gradually putting weight on my right foot. I’m at the stage where I’m bearing weight for longer periods of time without assistance. The cast comes off, hopefully on April 1st. Then I’ll have to deal with my ankles and muscles. I’ll probably have to have physical therapy to build up strength in my foot. Life is full of little surprises.
I’ve left myself busy working in various academic projects, writing grants, reading scholarship applications from City College, reading, writing and watching selected class videos.
I’ve only been out of the house to visit my orthopedist. I can hardly wait to be able to go out to a good San Francisco restaurant or the theater again. I do not know for sure when I’ll return to teaching. Maybe the end of April or beginning of May if everything works out all right. Take Care, Pat Crowley.
And former coworker and friend from Pac Bell Yellow Pages, Reed Campbell, never fails to make me laugh. He sent a card of these naked Roman warriors in a forest with swords and armor and Reed wrote: A TYPICAL WEEKEND EVENT IN MINNEAPOLIS! He’s always full of surprises. I am sometimes taken aback.
March 17, 1995 Dear Michael,
A belated Happy St. Patrick's Day to you. I was so very glad to get your card. I was a bit afraid my Xmas Card went too far. I do get carried away now and again. We all enjoyed our Las Vegas visit and am glad you did also.
Deanna and I are flying to Venice, Italy on June 30th for a few days and then a 7-day cruise of the Greek Islands, then back to Florence for 2-days and then home.
We come to San Francisco on May 18th for my son’s graduation from Sonoma State at last. And back to home base for a while. I had looked forward to seeing you in Vegas but maybe another time. We were in San Francisco in December and I saw a number of old co-workers. Vivian Adams is now in-charge of the whole place. She took JoAnne Early’s place. Wow! It will be a change for the better I’m sure. Also, I saw Glenda in the sales office. No one seems very happy in sales!
The weather has been great this week but more snow is predicted soon. It’s all melted at present which is fine with me.
Hope you can make out my scrawl. Drop a line when you have time.
Question? Why do all the figures on this card remind me of YOU? It’s all in my imagination and secret desire.
Love, Reed
P.S. Include your phone #
Alan already sent me a few postcards from his European trip with Gloria. Gloria sent me one as well (from Venice). Alan sent one form Florence (at the HOTEL VILLA MEDICI) and Venice. I loved the stamps on the cards.
From Gloria:
Love,
Gloria and Alan
From Alan:
Friday 5:20PM
It was great talking to you. You will love this place. Great wine, food, sights, water and people. We can get lost here and never be found by anyone. A gondola boat ride, dinner on the canal or just a walking tour. Let’s go!
Love,
Alan
HOTEL VILLA MEDICI
Love,
Alan
Meanwhile, I’m riding my bike to songs like RUN AWAY by Real McCoy and EVERLASTING LOVE by Gloria Estefan. And I’m the king of the branch at Charles Schwab & Co.
The sharing of one or several positive emotions;
A synchrony between the behavior and the physiological reactions of two people;
And the intention to contribute to the other’s well-being, an intention that engenders mutual care.” --Barbara Frederickson, as found in the ATRUISM book by Matthieu Ricard
