The Best Day Ever!

Yesterday was one of the most fun days I have had in a very long time.   I woke up and made my way through the piles of toys in the living room and 3 sleeping boys on the living room floor (Matt had a sleepover). I left home at 8 am to teach an 8:30 class, I rushed home at 9:30 so that I could be in Wayne by 10:30 to have my taxes done.  I'm starting to laugh thinking anyone who reads this should be thinking.....(Seriously? this is your definition of the best day ever?) OK, so I admit the morning was a little stressful and a lot of rushing!.  We had our taxes done, and as luck would have it we are getting a refund (Which is already burning a hole in Sam's pocket!!). It was nice to see my very busy accountant/friend too!

From there we decided to drive through the neighborhood we both grew up in, we do this at least once a year.  This drive-by was different, it left me with a sick feeling in the pit of my stomach.  The neighborhood was so run down, burned down houses on every street, closed school buildings, bars on doors and windows.  I felt physically ill driving through the neighborhood. It has been deteriorating for 20 years but for some reason my vision was very keen today.   I also felt a little scared for my life if I'm honest.  I began to lecture Matt about how fortunate he was to go to a safe school and live in a safe neighborhood , no guns and knives,  never mind the fact that material things are also plentiful for him.  (Still waiting for some fun to start?-LOL)

From there we went to visit our lifelong friends nearby, we planned to watch their boys play hockey.  That was alot of fun, they each scored goals and assists and we were amazed at their skill level. We were so proud of them.   We went back to their house after the hockey game.

So many fond memories with our group of childhood friends.  Starting with Carmen's mom, who we fondly referred to as Justi, this warm, wonderful, petite woman was part of so many of our gatherings.  Our dear Justi passed a few years ago, but her spirit filled the air yesterday as Carmen taught me how to make her famous Lentils and rice (that's the photo).  I was so honored that she would share this precious recipe with me and even teach me to make it.  Justi's spirit will now fill my kitchen ,as well as my heart, and my family's empty stomachs. My picky eater Matt scarfed down this delicious treat!

As we cooked together,  a few cocktails were in order.  I think Sam was a little bored,  because he started  dialing many of our childhood friends on his cell phone.   He left a few messages, talked to one or two, looked up phone numbers in the white pages and relentlessly stalked others. He tried to guilt anyone he could into coming to Carmen's for a blast from the past reunion. Not surprising, last minute plans such as this, with busy families who mostly have young children usually cannot come together so spontaneously.  We laughed anyway, and continued the calls, messages, facebook notes and of course the drinks kept flowing (all of this by around 3pm).

We played a funny game, I think its called Madlibs, this made us even more slap happy!.  Our friend Michael joined the fun after dinner, we played cards and more Madlibs and laughed some more.   Around 9pm we got a surprise visit from Sam's best friend from high school. He came fully loaded with stacks of photos from those amazing 80's...(ugh- not my finest hour) .   I can't remember the last time we saw him, its been over 10 years. We reminisced, caught up on the blessings and struggles of our lives.  We even got a little serious (which would have never happened in the 80s).   We got home about 2:30 am. 

The memory of this Saturday that started out as just a normal, ordinary day, with chores and responsibilities, will not soon fade.  There wasn't a planned event, no plane ride to a warmer client, no invitations, no special outfit to wear, just an ordinary day that turned into an EXTRAordinary day.  It was one of the best days ever!