June 16, 2017

Of course there’s a link.  I’m ashamed to admit the link is McDonald’s, but there it is.  Ten years ago I was in the McDonald’s play area with Ethan and Maggie: he was five, she was three. My cell phone rang and I received the news that my son had been accepted into California Montessori Project, congratulations!  Thus our journey began.   

Endings.  Endings are hard most of the time.   They can be anything from searing-heart-ripped-from-your-chest endings to the dull-empty-thumping-of-sorrow ending. I felt both yesterday.My daughter was behind me, walking across the parking lot yesterday as classes forever ended at CMP.  I was fine, proud. Then I said to myself, quite unexpectedly, “She did it!” and suddenly the tears jetted from my eyes.  I hugged her, repeating the words that ended my optical drought. This was the searing ending, the farewell to squinchy giggle-eyes, piggy tails, and childish amazement, yet one I welcomed. The dull-empty-thumping ending began with the words “have decided it’s a total loss.”Fuckers.

The completed circle came after waiting at the Capitol Campus, the location of the final CMP dance.  Maggie waved farewell to some faces hidden in the darkness and walked to the car.  She got in, dry-eyed, proclaiming success.  There was no reason for tears with her, either (I was dry-eyed throughout the graduation ceremony, to my great surprise).  Sometimes endings come at just the right time. Mags asked to stop by McDonald’s so she could buy some chicken McNuggets  since she hadn’t had any dinner. I didn’t realize until this morning that we began CMP at McDonald’s  and last night, following the last dance, we ended with McDonald’s. So there ya have it.

Off to juvenile hall for a fantastic and successful day with the kids. Sometimes, somehow,  I know what to say. I also called Farmers Insurance, leaving a message for my  agent as well as his supervisor.  I disputed their decision and requested a second opinion and…several hours later, I received word that they agreed, Lizzie would be towed to Kombi Haus in Sacramento for a second opinion and all storage fees/towing would be covered. (!!!!!!!!!!!!)

That’s when I discovered my wallet was lost  (Of course it was).  Fortunately, because of throwing keys away after a music fest last summer, I have a Tile….which showed it near Target.  I called Target, and …they had it… for the last three days.   I hadn’t noticed it because my license and debit card are kept elsewhere.  Today was a beautiful day.  Justin’s called announcing the bus had arrived, my wallet was home again and I had a wonderful, lengthy conversation with my sister.  Life is a good, good thing.