Hard Fall

I spent much of the past week traveling to and from Eau Claire, Wisconsin to meet with an entrepreneur and the leadership team his business.  What a beautiful town, and a great group of people that I had the privilege of coaching.  That part of the world is about two weeks ahead of us in terms of Fall colors in the trees.  It was gorgeous.

Thursday was when I led the team through an all-day session - our first such session together, and the first time I was facilitating this particular batch of exercises.  I was prepared, and the meeting went well.  

During a brief break in the afternoon, I peeked at Facebook on my phone, and saw a post from a friend announcing a family tragedy that had happened earlier in the week.  I couldn’t believe it.  My heart sank into my stomach, sad for my friend who had to be experiencing unimaginable pain.

The meeting resumed in just a couple of minutes, demanding my full focus (and receiving it).  In hindsight, I’m surprised by how easily I compartmentalized this information.  Maybe it is evidence that I have experienced enough grief to know that it would still be there, waiting for me when the meeting adjourned.

I drove to Minneapolis after we were done, as I had to catch an early flight home the next day.  I thought about how seldom I’ve seen this friend over the past few years.  How COVID disrupted all sorts of social patterns.

It’s all so fresh, so raw.  I want to be sensitive to my friends, and their loss.  I fear I see a trend forming, one that I will write about when I have more composure, and more time to properly address it.

A tough end to an otherwise good week.  It serves as a reminder of how hard life can sometimes be - and how grateful we should be when things are going well.  It is so easy to take many things for granted.  I encourage you to take inventory of even the smallest blessings in your life, and feel gratitude for them. 

Experiencing loss in the Fall is extra hard, I think.  Grieving as the world gets colder, darker, more stark just magnifies the whole experience.  Go inward, friends.  Tune out the cold world and keep the home fires burning.  Spring will return, someday.

Sunday Supper
Lori was out of town visiting our first-born this weekend, so I indulged in a dish that only I enjoy - this simple Spam Kimchi Jjigae is so satisfying.  I loved it.  I’m also going to roast a Pork Shoulder using this method, to start the week with plenty of protein.  I’ll pair it with this Kale Slaw With Red Cabbage & Carrots.

Sunday Music
This Sunday I share with you a number of selections.  First is the inimitable Eva Cassidy singing Autumn Leaves.  Next is film composer Hans Zimmer performing Time (from the movie Inception), and the theme from Interstellar.  Finally, here is Pat Metheny performing The Truth Will Always Be.

If you know anyone who might like this essay, please share it with them. 

Have a great week ahead!  Offer support to others.  Make good use of this day.  And let me know how I can help.

Peace & Love,