Such a Fun Age is a bighearted story about race and privilege, set around a young Black babysitter, her well-intentioned employer, and a surprising connection that threatens to undo them both. In a time when race and privilege are issues that need to be addressed, I recommend this book with our reservation.
Stream of Consciousness!
My random thoughts on Jan, love, grief, life and all things considered.
Scream or Cry?
Grief helps us understand friendship.
Five years ago, I got a text message – “I do not know if I should scream or cry!” – from someone, I had mentored.
Concerned, I called. My friend was in an abusive relationship. I connected Jan to the call, and we offered support and advice over several weeks. My friend was very grateful.
In February, Jan was in the hospital and had COVID. I was very anxious. My friend texted to see how I was. I responded, “I do not know if I should scream or cry!”
The response was, “try both and see which one works best.”
Is Resilience My Hidden Power?
The Art of Being Adaptable
I received a call from a friend who offered their condolences regarding the loss of Jan. During our conversation; my friend mentioned that I was a resilient individual and that this trait would assist me in moving forward without Jan. While I acknowledged my friend’s sentiment, I was uncertain why they believed my resilience would be particularly beneficial in this situation.
Adaptability has been explored in depth in the context of prevention strategies, with “The Art of Being Adaptable” in Prevention offering valuable insights into the subject matter. This work posits that adaptability is crucial in any successful prevention strategy and provides potential solutions for cultivating and maintaining this trait. Focusing on the importance of flexibility, resilience, and open-mindedness, this work offers practical advice on adapting to changing circumstances. Ultimately, by embracing adaptability as a core value, individuals and organizations can better prepare themselves for challenges. The specific definition that Prevention used was:
Resilience is a set of coping mechanisms we develop over time, and research in the field of positive psychology has found that this quality is determined in part by how we take care of ourselves, the people we surround ourselves with, and what we do to find meaning and purpose in our everyday lives.
Jan’s love has been my guiding light, even in the darkest times. Her unwavering devotion has given me the strength to persevere through life’s obstacles.
The Jan Lilien Education Fund sponsors ongoing sustainability and environmental awareness programs. Gifts made this month; I will match dollar-for-dollar. All donations are tax-deductible.
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Writers and Lovers
Writers and Lovers by Lily King is a page turner of a book. I was engaged with Casey and had to continue reading to learn how she resolved the crises. The loss of her mother was a constant reminder of my loss. Although she mourned in a different way than I am, there was much we had in common.
Call The Midwife Solo
Watching the tenth season of Call the Midwife without Jan is like walking in the snow without shoes, doable but not enjoyable. We watched the first nine seasons together, and we bonded with the characters and watched them grow and evolve.
This season may be one of the best, with the women’s rights movement having more impact.
I have watched five episodes. I wish Jan were with me so we could discuss the plot twists. Alas, she is not in the chair next to me, and they will never be the same without the love of my life.
Jan Lilien Education Fund
The living memorial in Hanson Park is coming together! Although it will not be complete by Jan’s birthday, we can and will hold a dedication/groundbreaking at 2 pm on April 24, 2022.
We will have one bench by the picnic area closest to the triangular garden, and the second one will be by the river.
We agreed to use any funds above the amount needed for the two benches to create the Jan Lilien Education Fund.
The Education Fund will allow the Conservancy to do educational programs regularly.
I am so delighted! Love never dies!
Summer: A Novel
Summer: A Novel by Ali Smith is a fascinating book about the times in which we live. Where does the family begin? And what do people who think they've got nothing in common have in common? Summer.
Commitment Times Three
The problem I face confuses many of us. How do we love someone who is no longer with us?
For me, it is easy. Jan and I had a unique love as we shared a portion of the soul of the other. Our love was able to combine our souls and produce an unbreakable bond. Without that umbilical cord, would we have stayed together for almost 48 years?
She had three opportunities from day one to choose a different life. Each time she decided to stay with me, that was a clear sign of her love and commitment.