We recently went to a concert of an all-male chorus. Several friends of ours sing with this fun group. We got there and got seated and started looking for our friends. Couldn't find them in the choir. Looked, and looked, and was getting a bit upset - did we come and they weren't even singing? Finally, sheepishly, I realized I was looking for the upright, brown-haired, vigorous men of my memory. Not the stoop-shouldered, white-haired gentlemen who were up there ready to sing! Gave me a slap in the face with reality.
I have been blessed by the model of the strong women in my family who have led the way for me. The lovely ladies who gracefully and graciously showed me how to weather each season with dignity, to treat everyone with respect, and to love everyone in their worlds unconditionally. Thank you, Dear Ditter, for reminding me to live in the moment and appreciate what is while remembering what was.