New Adventures

My friend invited me to go see “Matilda, the Musical” at a local high school. She and her son were going and since I was free I said yes! It has been a long time since I attended a high school performance. I was looking forward to it but what I didn’t realize was how much I was going to love the show! These high school kids were amazing. I’ve seen Matilda on Broadway so I had a barometer and let me tell you, the talent was incredible.

The day was special for me. I recently lost my husband and as I move into this next phase of my life, the one where I choose what I do, I want to become an intrepid adventurer. Hahaha, no, not safaris and Appalachian Trail hikes per se, not quite those types of adventures. More like saying yes to a high school musical on a Sunday afternoon. And joining friends for an evening of food, wine and chit chat on a weekend night. And ordering Hello Fresh with a colleague and cooking together on a school night, helping her learn some cooking skills along the way. And making plans to go ‘down the shore’ this summer for a night or two to visit a friend’s relatives at their new condo.

You see, my husband and I were best friends. And when you are married to your best friend you have the whole package right at your fingertips. And you get a little rusty at saying yes. Yes, I’d love to come over for dinner. Yes, I am free to go to the mall. Yes, I have time for a phone conversation. Yes, I would love your company. It would be easy for me to absorb myself in reading and writing and organizing and catching up with music and TV. I could easily fall down internet rabbit holes. I could take up painting on my iPad or learning new skills through virtual education.

But I think I’ll choose adventure. Adventures with friends. My best friend will always be with me. He is my rock and my encouragement and my courage. I hear him when I’m making decisions. I know what he would tell me to do. He would say, “Just go, go have fun!” Life is different now, but life is life. It is a gift that we only get for a certain amount of time. It won’t last forever, it may not even last long enough, but a life well lived, like my husband’s, is a gift fulfilled.