Looking Social

It has been quite the month. I’ve met with many friends. This means that I’ve had tons of lunch engagements! The first was with my friend from work. We had a lovely lunch and chatted about all the events of the holidays. All the family stuff which has been a struggle for her was calm with a minimum of drama. She is optimistic since the hiring process for the director of electron microscopy has been successfully completed.

Then there was lunch with the coworker I’ve known the longest (who is still working – having celebrated her 35th work anniversary). I got all the dirt on the drama at work. Which made me feel sorry for her and Mr. Fudd and at the same time so very relieved and even giddy that I am no longer involved. Next I had lunch with a Vet Tech friend. She has big changes in her life as her marriage is over. She had been very unhappy for a very longtime. She is now smiling more and seems lighter. We had a very long lunch and I got to see photos of her new house.

My next luncheon was with another former coworker and his boyfriend. They joined me for a leisurely lunch on his day off and when his BF was visiting. He thinks of me as his second mom and really wants my approval. His BF is very sweet and they seem to be good for one another. I’m hoping he has found his forever love because he deserves happiness after all he’s been through!

Then there was the lunch with the former secretary at work. She is battling lung cancer now on top of all her other health issues. Of course she was never a smoker and hasn’t been around smoke. Because the cancer had been very slow growing (at least that’s her story) the doctors were in a wait and see mode. Anyway it is growing and causing her some problems. My personal opinion is that they figured she was going to die from something else before the cancer. As is she needs a double knee replacement which they won’t do because of her weight (morbidly obese), she is diabetic which doesn’t help at all, has congestive heart failure, gastric peristaltic paralysis, diverticulitis, and a host of other lesser issues. I was very surprised and happy to see her. The last 3 years we have scheduled lunches and dinners all were cancelled at the last minute due to her health.

Of course I also made time for my other friends who don’t have any connection with work. I’ve geocached, shopped, baked, played board games and shared meals. I’ve enjoyed family time with the weekly ice cream at my in laws house with the puzzles. I’ve had lunches and expeditions with my sons and had dinner at their house (per the contract) but they seem to enjoy having us over and hanging out with me… however I am exhausted by being so social!