Making meaning ful memories

Fall arrived on the doorstep with a welcome visit from my out-of-state nephew Dwayne. This visit was a breakthrough in our cautionary COVID-regulated lifestyle. Dwayne is an adult, soon to enter senior status. I crossed over to “double senior status” some time ago. I feel close to Dwayne and wish that I could make up for the sad, unsupportive childhood he endured as a result of my sister's stumbles in life.

So, here we are at this time and place, happy in each other's company. It's been some time since I cooked a big breakfast for two, shared the morning newspaper and made plans for the day. I looked forward to each special activity: a trip to Muir Woods, visiting the Charles Schulz (Snoopy) Museum, a roam around our luscious farmers market, a road trip to Nevada City and Grass Valley, and even going to the movies.

I have outlived most of my dear family and find that I am somewhat of an outlier in the remaining constellation.

The movies were a big step forward for me.

At first I said, “Positively no. No enclosed spaces close to dubious COVID-status persons.”

However, since I wanted Dwayne to have a good time and I had received all my shots, I consented to take a look at the space and seating arrangements. We ended up being two of six or eight people in the entire theater with so much space between ourselves and the others I could hardly see them. The movie was fun — a Disney adventure. The popcorn was just as I like it: plain with a touch of salt.

The morning Dwayne left for his trip home, I made sure he was fortified with a hearty breakfast of nutritious, mostly plant-based foods. During his stay, I introduced him to Greek yogurt, sprouted wheat bread and even oven-roasted vegetables. Dwayne is used to fast foods. He knows the menus of all the box restaurants that line our highways and strip malls. He drinks Cokes (no alcohol, not