Journal entry by Al Negstad — 30 minutes ago
It was at a bridal shower in 1963, hosted by faculty and administrators at Augustana College, that Joanne was given an electric fry pan. She gave it much use over it's 50+ year life span. Finally it quit and I bought her a new, modern one which she used a bit before her death.
That new fry pan rested undisturbed on the shelf until today. Likely it hadn't been used at all in 2018, and I brought it out for the first time in 2019, today. Regular patterns and habits simplify my life giving me less decisions to make. Breakfast falls into that category; a very high fiber cereal with banana and blueberries, soaked in whole milk with heavy cream added.
But, I was hankering for something different and that's where the fry pan comes in. Pancakes were calling me, so out came the pan and in went the blueberry pancake batter. They turned out rather well, which gave me much more satisfaction than one would imagine for such a small thing. A right fine breakfast with a mug of coffee. Though, not being a regular coffee drinker, the combination of caffeine and maple syrup had me wide awake. All in all a good reminder that many (most?) of the joys in life are in very small things.
Today is an anniversary of sorts. Nine months ago Joanne died. Depending upon how one identifies entrance into the land of grief, I've been in it at least that time. Perhaps it would be accurate to say I've found a home here in this land. Life has become routine and 'normal' but shot through with a persistent sadness and occasional bursts of extreme grief. The support of family and friends has made it bearable and for that I'm profoundly grateful Thank you one and all!
Blessings,
Al
That new fry pan rested undisturbed on the shelf until today. Likely it hadn't been used at all in 2018, and I brought it out for the first time in 2019, today. Regular patterns and habits simplify my life giving me less decisions to make. Breakfast falls into that category; a very high fiber cereal with banana and blueberries, soaked in whole milk with heavy cream added.
But, I was hankering for something different and that's where the fry pan comes in. Pancakes were calling me, so out came the pan and in went the blueberry pancake batter. They turned out rather well, which gave me much more satisfaction than one would imagine for such a small thing. A right fine breakfast with a mug of coffee. Though, not being a regular coffee drinker, the combination of caffeine and maple syrup had me wide awake. All in all a good reminder that many (most?) of the joys in life are in very small things.
Today is an anniversary of sorts. Nine months ago Joanne died. Depending upon how one identifies entrance into the land of grief, I've been in it at least that time. Perhaps it would be accurate to say I've found a home here in this land. Life has become routine and 'normal' but shot through with a persistent sadness and occasional bursts of extreme grief. The support of family and friends has made it bearable and for that I'm profoundly grateful Thank you one and all!
Blessings,
Al
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