I hope everyone is doing well. I’ve been reading updates and enjoying your photos but I haven’t had a chance to respond much — sorry!

This weekend was a whirlwind mix of events, some happy - and some very sad - but all hopeful in the end. I managed to do reasonably well keeping up with tracking and exercise given the circumstances.

On Friday, some friends invited us to a neighborhood party and it was nice to catch up with so many people in one night. Early the next morning, I took my husband to the airport so he could fulfill his one week per month caring for his Dad with dementia. I have extra dog care duties when my husband’s gone so I decided to walk along the Washington, D.C. Mall where many people gathered to reflect on all the lives lost through gun violence and encourage policy changes. Then, my son returned from a trip with his friends so we caught up while doing laundry together and packing for his summer internship.

On Sunday, I did some grocery shopping prepared food for another neighborhood get-together that afternoon. I also walked the dog along the Main Street and stopped to chat with some friends who were at the farmer’s market listening to the local teens and children play music.

In the early evening, my son and I attended a ‘celebration of life’ gathering at my friends’ house to share lots of hugs and tears, photos, stories, and a meal in honor of my friend’s 19 year old daughter who died recently. After dinner, I played soccer with my team while my son finished his packing, and then I left the game 15 minutes early so I could drive him to the airport. I took a quick shower and off we went. We are fortunate to live so close to the airport! Finally, I stopped by the house of the 19-year olds’ father because the couple divorced and is not in good terms but both need support through such a terrible loss. I had to wake up before 5am the next day but it took me a little while to fall asleep after all the emotion and activity of the day.

Yesterday, I had some work calls and both the viewing and funeral services to attend. After my 5pm call, I went back to the Dad’s house because he had visitors from his home country and I saw that they didn’t really have much food. I was sure everyone must have been hungry after a packed day of hosting so many grieving young people, family, and friends. So, while I took my dog for a walk and I got some roasted chickens, potatoes, bread, etc. from a local restaurant where the staff cooks homemade treats for neighborhood dogs. Everyone appreciated the food and I had another long night there.

In between, there was a difficult conversation with my friends’ son who was taking on some communication challenges that should have been managed better by the adults and encouraged him to let the funeral staff handle the logistical protocols of the speakers and seating arrangements. In the end, the services were a lovely tribute to the life well-lived of a beautiful and caring young woman who made the world a better place in her short stay.

People came together from Brazil, Brussels, Germany, London, Spain, across the USA and others participated via live streaming from all those places as well as Sweden, Norway, and maybe a couple I missed. There were poems and readings in at least three languages and everyone committed to carrying on her bright light as they returned to their day.

Carpe diem, Shape Shifters!