100 Things About Me # 55 ... Art Night Is One Of My Favorite Girls Night Traditions

My closest friend Karen lost her husband Kenny to cancer about 8 weeks ago, being there for her while still allowing her plenty of space has been a bit of a challenge. We spent the evening together last night, we did art night for the first time since Kenny got sick, for so many years it was part of our weekly routine.

Actually last Tuesday was our first night, Paulette was there too but we did not paint even though we did intend to. Last night however … we actually put color on paper, good for us. Next week we will drum.

I told Karen about David’s new job and about his new schedule, she wasn’t really in the mood to be extra supportive, the conversation just kind of drifted across the table as we were both focused on what we were painting. She did look up for a minute though, when I mentioned that the shift in schedule had me pretty out of sorts and that maybe it was time to consider moving on.

She abruptly said “Move on to what? Going online and to singles dances like Becky?” I replied “Absolutly not” “OK then” she said as we both went back to what we were doing. That was supportive enough for the moment. Of course it’s not time to move on, it’s just time to make some adjustments.

I did not take any photos last night but the one above is from an art night years ago ... always interesting that even when we are basically painting the same thing, we get two totally different results. Large one is Karens, small one is mine.

100 Things About Me # 54 ... Thursday Night Has Been Date Night For A Long Long Time

David started a new job this week that has officially put an end to a tradition that has lasted for many years ... Thursday Night Date Night!

We have always arranged our schedules to allow for something fun to do together on Thursday nights, staying out late has never been an issue because neither of us ever has to get up early on Friday morning to rush off to work.

We never skip Thursday night unless one of us is out of town. We live 35 -40 miles apart so it does take quite a bit of effort for us to make time for each other.

Yesterday was my first Thursday Night without a date in ages and such a nice thing happened to me on my way home from work.

Jenn (David's Daughter) called and she said “I just want you to know that if I still lived in Florida, I would so pick up my father’s slack and become your new Thursday Night Girl. We could hang out, drink margaritas or do whatever you wanted to on Thursday Nights, now that he’s not available"
I told her I was on my way to the Whole Foods Market and then off to Barnes & Noble to scan the something new to focus on isles. She suggested I might want to choose someplace other than ones her father and I frequent.
I thanked her for her thoughtfulness; really … it was delightful to get that phone call from her on my first Thursday Date Night without her Dad.
Pretty soon we were off on another conversation but I was truly touched by her thoughtfulness. That girl and I need each other.
I have two daughters, a grand daughter and one very tall and handsome son ... they all live so far away. Jennifer is likely to be the only other Daughter I'll ever get, I hate that she and her kids live so far away too.