Jan Was a Wonderful Woman

We Have Work That Still Needs to Be Done!

My car’s outdoor temperature reading shows 88 degrees Fahrenheit, but my weather app says it’s 86 degrees Fahrenheit. Despite the discrepancy, it’s sweltering for the first week of May. I arrived at a meeting with Bridges and a local community as the Board chair, and this is the purpose I’ve been looking for since building Jan’s Memorial Garden. I accidentally walked through the metal detector as nobody was there to stop me, causing it to beep loudly like a burst plastic shipping bag. The first person I met at the meeting asked how I was doing, and when I replied, “OK,” he persisted, asking, “How are you really?”

I explained that it had been three years since Jan died last Friday, and I am taking a step-by-step approach to move forward. I find it easier to answer questions about my progress now because I believe in transparency. Being honest and open about my progress has always been my default position.

He paused momentarily, took a deep breath, and said, “Jan was a wonderful woman.” His words were soothing, but they also reminded me of the pain I felt from her absence. However, he continued, “I know how much you miss her, but as she would have said, we still have work to do.” His words were a gentle reminder that life goes on, and we must keep moving forward.

As our conversation ended, we stood up, and he extended his hand for a handshake. However, we decided not to shake hands because he suffers from hay fever. Despite this, I felt a sense of comfort knowing that our conversation had provided me with a bit of solace and inspiration to carry on.

Walking for 1097 Days

We Have Work That Still Needs to Be Done!