Wednesday, April 28, 2021

Wednesday, April 28, 2021

Tonight's picture was taken in April of 2008. Mattie came home from kindergarten that day and since it was such a lovely weather day, we went outside so he could fly his dragonfly kite. Mattie received this lovely kite as a birthday gift from a friend. Our commons area is the perfect place to fly a kite, based on the wind direction. I am so happy I captured this memory. 

Quote of the day: Today's coronavirus update from Johns Hopkins.

• Number of people diagnosed with the virus: 32,225,012
• Number of people who died from the virus: 574,280

My day started with talking to our research team! I am very happy that we are all on board to apply for government funding for a research project we wish to pursue regarding the implementation of the psychosocial standards of care. The rigor  and intensity of the study requires MONEY, money which would be impossible for me to raise. So now until the application goes in, we will have weekly conference calls. 

After that, I jumped into the car to meet Betsy, our realtor. How did I pick Betsy!? I met Betsy YEARS ago when Mattie was alive and healthy! Back then we were thinking of moving into the suburbs to get Mattie closer to friends and his school. So one day, we went to an open house. The realtor at the open house was Betsy. I liked her whole demeanor and professionalism and therefore started working with her at that point to look for a house. However, life got in the way, and we never bought a house. 

Given that our living arrangements maybe changing (as the owners of our complex are trying to rezone it for high use commercial, rather than high use residential) and I need space for my parents, we determined we need a house. So I literally sent Betsy an email in February. We reconnected and have been working together ever since. 

Last week, we put in an offer for a house. The offer was declined. That is an emotional roller coaster in and of itself. In addition, all the houses I saw today won't work for us. The problem is there is a housing shortage, in which more people want houses, then the number of houses going on the market to be sold. So literally if a house is decent, it gets snapped up within a week! 

Something about me today must have illustrated.... tired and stressed! So Betsy suggested we stop in Reston for lunch and to sit by the water. That was a great idea. Look at the beautiful view from the restaurant terrace. To me there is something magical about Reston. It is a well planned community, with parks, recreational centers, walking trails, shopping, and it isn't that far from Washington, DC. 

Betsy and I talked about all sorts of topics. We are both very familiar with loss and grief, so for us this is a very safe topic to discuss. But Betsy also asked me what it will be like moving from a home we have been in since 1994? It's a good question and one that is an emotional hot button for me. Which is probably why we never moved earlier. Many life milestones happened in this townhouse! Peter graduated with his MBA, I got my second master's and PhD, we had Mattie, we became parents, we had our first cat, Patches, together, and the list goes on! It is hard to leave behind a space Mattie grew up in, and it is even more daunting to think that our whole complex could be leveled completely and there would wipe out our 27 year history/memory here. Seems to me we have had enough wiped out of our lives, and I must admit I don't particularly like change.

It was an 80 degree weather day, and though I had work to do for the Walk, I am so glad I stopped and regrouped today. Sometimes you just have to slow down and take in the world around you. Especially when someone invites you to do this with them!