Dear Diary,
This is the day that the Lord hath made, I will rejoice and be glad in it. Some days this is easy to do, this was not one of those days. The context which makes today hard goes back a few days. A co-worker had a parent die late last week, and today is the funeral. The parent had stopped eating and drinking so death was imminent. The parent also lived a long life, which makes it easier. However, it is always hard to lose a loved one and not easy to see a person you like grieving.
The second contextual thing is harder. I have had a friend since second grade, back in 1965. We grew up together talked about life as we tried to figure out family issues, faith, girls. I was the best man at his wedding, and he sang at mine. He phoned Sunday. His wife had emergency surgery Saturday. The doctor thinks it is cancer, stage 3 or 4. Hard to put into words the awfulness of cancer. That a man I love may well face the loss of his wife. They live in another community so I cannot be there physically. I add prayers for recovery but feel helpless.
I accidently set the alarm for a half hour early. As I age I keep waking up in the middle of the night and staying awake for what seems a long time. So I was annoyed at myself for robbing myself of 30 minutes sleep, after I finally got back to sleep. But once up I was happy. Today’s devotional had a couple of videos which were longer than normal and I was able to watch them without time pressure. I also enjoy being up early. The house is mine, I enjoy peace and slowly working into a day.
At work two supervisors came. One lives 90 minutes away, the other 3 hours. They came to support the co-worker who had lost their parent. One went to visitation the other went to the funeral ceremony. Almost any company will say things like, We value our employees, they are our most important resource. My company has supervisors who put action behind those words. Of all the jobs I have had most have been good. I am blessed to have the best job of my career at what will be the last job of my career.
Working on flight, hotel, car reservations for a trip to Florida to see clients. The trip is a plum, who wouldn’t want to be in Florida for a few days and escape an Indiana winter? My technology ineptitude however, raised its ugly head and I struggled with bookings. I am Fred Flintstone with technology. I long for the old days of calling a travel agent who knows how to find the best flights. However, with trip advisor, and price line, small trips aren’t economical for them to book. So I managed to book 4 flights instead of two. On one I got as far as being asked to write a review, with no way forward. I wasn’t sure if I had the reservation and tried again. Same result. So I go to another booking sight and get booked. Sadly the first two had booked. Tomorrow I have to find out how to cancel.
Adding insult to injury the one trip of the four I wanted, was cancelled. I got an email that they phoned twice, I didn’t answer, so they cancelled the flight. I called the customer service number got the same line, they were able to get me a return flight but the cost was $253 not $63. Did I mention I miss travel agents who know how to navigate this quagmire?
Lunch was wraps paid for by my company. In honor of our coworker. We ate in the board room and had a nice time talking about all sorts of things. When the super bowl came up, someone said, I wonder how much money was paid to hookers. From there I learned that while prostitution is legal in Nevada it is not in the county where Las Vegas is located. A bit of trivia I could have lived without.
The day went quickly. In addition to the time at the funeral there were a few unusual requests. One of the great things about my job is every day is different. A phone call or email from a client can rearrange what I planned to do. That happened today. I am working on the client project around the normal daily work activities, which along with travel plans, ate up the hours of the day.
A client call reminded me that money can be divisive and that we all have the ability to justify our actions. A family member, who is an interior decorator, agreed to fix a condo co-owned by the family. A budget was agreed upon, nothing about a fee was. The interior decorator spent about twice the agreed budget and wanted $30,000 for two weeks work. The rest of the family is taking the high road, to the point where they may sell the condo rather than squabble. I admire their action and wisdom in keeping the family intact and not allowing money to destroy their unity. However, I wonder if there will not be hard feelings despite this. How can you get together with someone who seemingly took financial advantage of you? How can the interior decorator justify themselves?
Got home and enjoyed that the sun was still shining. December 21st is the shortest day of the year. By mid February I notice having more daylight, which I enjoy. Wife still burning the candle at both ends, declined to take a walk with me. She loves our family and makes trips to watch grandkids in other communities. Glad she can be involved in their lives, but it takes a toll.
I was distracted over the travel bookings and left my phone at work. Love that in Muncie the commute to work is short. Indy friends would have had a 40-45 minute trip, just to get to the office. I was there and back home in less time.
Finished the day driving to pick up our four year old granddaughter. My wife and I have been through a tough time recently. The good news is that we have grown closer together as a result. We talk more and about deeper things. The drive was another time we had a good talk. Life is hard, having a spouse who can walk through the hard times with you is invaluable.
While today was, in ways, a hard one to rejoice and be glad in. there were good things as well. Having a cute four year old granddaughter to carry in and hug was an excellent way to end the day.
Last thought, I am enjoying the diary activities. I feel less pressure to get it right. Initially I felt like writing a paper in college. Now I enjoy thinking and reflecting on the day and recording those thoughts.