In April, a man by the name of Adam Grant had an article in the New York Times. This is the word he said applied to our emotional state during the pandemic. Look up the definition. This is a word to expand our vocabulary to describe our emotions. How growthful. A new experience in our lives and a new word to describe it.

Everyone is ready to get back to the old words.

When Isaac was offered a job he had applied for, he told me he needed more information before deciding. He wanted to know the specific locations in the city that he could be assigned to. They were unable to provide that data. He had also heard that the camp dropped staff when campers lessened. He did not want a temporary position. I told him it sounded like he was not feeling secure about this job and I suggested he pay attention to his intuition or gut feeling about it. I have found we are usually correct in our judgment.

He said he appreciated the thought.

I believe this story exemplifies my ability to keep maturing. No, I am not inviting your opinion. My friends are coming for dinner Saturday. We have not done this for 13 months. My table has two large leaves. I have always managed, with stress, to pull the table apart and insert the leaves. This year I asked a friend, one who will be a guest that evening, to help me with the leaves during the day. He agreed.

I am relieved of the thought I might be unsuccessful.

Isaac returned my call and left a message. I called him back and discussed his week: a very long bike ride, soccer, track, school, training of Pippin, the puppy. I told him I needed to end the call as I had a client shortly. He asked if he could tell me the results of a job he had applied for. I was so warmed by him initiating something he wanted to share with me.

It does keep getting better.

My friend came for dinner the other night. He asked what he could bring and I told him only himself. He walked in with a box and said he brought dessert. I already had dessert for him. I am choosing not to eat desserts. When the time came, we opened the box and he said he wanted the dessert I had prepared. I took a small cookie from the box. When he left I told him to take the box home with him. He encouraged me to take one of the cookies. I said no.

Not being in the house is the best way to avoid eating something!

My friend was telling me about a problem he had with the vent for the stove in his new home. He is an engineer, so he explored the problem fully and did research on the internet. He called the company of the vent he had and spoke with a woman. He described the problem, knowing the vent he had did not have a blower. Through a lengthy conversation, with the exchange of data such as space measurements, he was advised how to remedy the problem. It worked.

This is an example of what can happen when we are able to talk to a human being!

When Isaac was six, a friend from Maine sent a dozen lobsters. I prepared dinner and Isaac discovered his favorite food. I do not remember how much he ate, but I believe it was two lobsters. I was reminded recently about a time I took the boys to a friend’s home and they ate chicken pot pie. Ari ate three pieces and verbally expressed his love of the meal. I am wanting to please both Isaac and Ari.

Guess which meal I will prepare soon?

I was meeting with a client in the garage when a fire truck and ambulance drove by. Not unusual. Then a helicopter circled nearby for a long time. This is usually indicative of an accident. My next client came and told me the road was blocked off nearby and there were police and ambulances. When she left I discovered, on my computer, that there was a gas leak caused by road workers and they had evacuated the area. I am a block further than that area. There was a smell of gas.

There can be a disadvantage to not being able to smell.

Ellen and Isaac brought lunch and sat outside. I shared the thought that I would love to get an RV and travel all over the United States and visit small cities. I would take my time. Isaac said that idea appealed to him. About an hour later, when they were leaving, Isaac turned to me and said, “When you plan the trip, let me know. I would love to join you.”

Touch my heart.

Sometimes the pandemic gets to me. It was Friday, the end of a typical work week, and I realized I had no plans for the weekend. Plans might mean seeing my kids or grandchildren. Having a friend over for lunch outside. Nothing big, but something! I decided I will go Sunday morning to pick up two items I need from the store. Shopping on a weekend.

Amazing what emotions will prompt me to do.