God Bless America

Thanks to huffington post...i don't have tv

Four years ago, when we came to live in this country, little A and I sat in the Millennium  Hotel and watched the United States elect her first black president. It was a historic moment--one filled with so much hope for the U- S of A, and our world, which is so impacted by the actions of the Americans.  I am sure I have a post about it...way back when we first arrived.

 Much has changed for us since then.  We have enjoyed boldly going where no man has gone before (well--at least not anybody we knew), meeting so many interesting and wonderful people and  having many new experiences.  We have even added two more people to our tribe.  I am so pleased that Barack is back for another 4 years.  This gives me another four years to try and live in the United States while he is president.

Magoo has a time-out

Today I had to take a sick day.  My chest is hurting and my stomache is very upset (and gets worse when I am vertical).  I think it is a result of all that coughing I have been doing.  I have spent practically the whole day in bed.  Now, as it is time to sleep, I am finally able to sit up for a few minutes (to record my joy for the American election results).

Pickle didn't start vomiting, but got diarrhea instead. Little A has had a suppressed appetite (and so I think she is fighting something as well).  Hopefully, we will all be well for the weekend.

Amongst the happiness today, I have had some bad news.  An old friend, Derek Jeffels died.  Peter always just called him "Jeffels" and he was also nicknamed "Shoes" (though I can't remember why...I didn't give him that moniker obviously).  We have been out of touch with him for a long time, but all the same, it was still distressing to hear the news.

I have a fond memory of dancing with a VERY inebriated Derek Jeffels on my wedding night.  It was one of the later dances of the evening.  In his great (intoxicated) wisdom, he was telling me how lucky Peter and I were to be together, as we were 'the real thing'--true love.  Not many people get to experience it (not even him--he confessed, after I reminded him of his current relationship status), he slurred in my ear.  He said knowing a couple like Peter and I gave him hope, that true love existed.

This has always been one of my favourite memories of that night.  It was a completely different side to him, than I had ever seen.  Though he was very drunk--he was also very earnest and sincere.  I was quite touched by his words.

Derek--you never got around to teaching me to two-step ( you were definitely the best two-stepper in our group), and I am going to go out on a limb and guess that you never managed to find your one true love.  I am sorry for that.  You always lent a helping hand to anyone who needed it (as evidenced by your one man demolition crew for my kitchen renovation).  And you always brought a smile to my face.  A toast to you, my friend--I hope you have found some peace.