Vanessa came over for dinner (nice big green salad full of fresh-picked tomatoes from my garden!) last night–a welcome respite from a week filled with shock, stress and tears.  We sat around talking for hours after dinner.  She needed a break from a work project and the noise of the city and I needed a break from reality.  Thank you, Vanessa.  Somehow you and I know when it’s time to connect with one another.

Today reality is back.  I’m off to the florist in a bit to order flowers for the memorial service on Sunday.  Just talked with Sylvia and it looks like I’ll be doing all the schlepping of food, drinks, etc for the reception on Sunday.  It’s been hard to convince Mata’s family that this is the time they should step back and accept some help.  They were planning on picking up everything themselves on Sunday and delivering it to the place where the reception will be held.  They just don’t realize the added stress they are thinking of putting into a day that’s going to be stressful enough.  I just stepped in and told them no.  So I’ll wind up doing a lot of running around Sunday morning.  Better me than them.