Queen for a Day

On the Cape, I have a bridge game scheduled for every Wednesday. So far, I've gotten to 2 of them. The first was at Peg's charming antique house, where I asked if I could sit on the sofa instead of the regular chair. All agreed and sidled the table up to the couch, where I snuggled in the cushions and listed against the arm, conserving my energy for the ride home.
The next week, I arrived first at Jeanne's charming antique house and found our game set up on the wonderful side porch, but with an arm chair for me, making me feel like a queen. I am so grateful for the lovely care dear friends are providing.
And not just for one day.
For the past several months, other acts of kindness have included:
Nora, our dear cleaning lady wouldn't let me pay
Hairdresser Gino wouldn't let my pay OR tip for my haircut, saying, "I don't know how long it will last.'
Ginger brought picnic over on moving day and helped me pack
Danny, Denice and Deb spent days packing. The best project was clearing my balcony of the pots of plants and the rock garden, with tons of dirt and plants. They also recruited an electrician to remove the beloved sail chandelier.
Mark took truckloads of stuff to the new place in Boston.
Connie gave me dishtowel and pink shirt for Chemo
Denise, Deb and Sandy took me to dinner and gave me necklace and earrings.
Sue Carstons made me 2 hats and sent cute socks
Anna directed Blake, George and Katie in the biggest job of the move, getting the Big Green Egg to James and the precious dining set to Boston. On another occasion she installed the sound system while George and I raised the bed to plan the Gear project.
Mary Ann hosted 'Bridge over the Bridge', with bridge contest, lunch and presents (games, pajamas, soaps, nail polish, inspirational readings, tea, handmade mug, special dish for Dexter, hats). Everyone brought frozen dinner for us. We are getting very used to delicious dinners, with no forethought or cleanup. I won the Boobie Prize for lowest score, sad since it was I who taught most of them how to play bridge in the first place.
Mary Ann took me and Sandy to dinner at The Ocean House."
Eddie made up beef stew and clam chowder.
Reenie helped pack.
Gayle made us dinner.
Becky gave me hats and helped with move, built closet system, brought meals, on 2 different weekends.
Bambi installed bookcases, removed closet doors, brought meals
Barbara brought worry dolls to lunch, which she, Bonnie and Joan treated me to.
Cards from Joy and Master Gardeners, Gay, too many to remember.
Cancer survivors reached out - Eleanor Goldberg, Maureen Shaffer, MGH patients,
Even our pharmacist Valarie asked if she could bring dinner over to us.
Sunday brought more acts of kindness. As I pulled up to my Boston destination, the car started acting funny. The valet, who threw me out of his space, suggested transmission trouble. I called AAA for help and waited for hours. I called back a couple of times, playing the Cancer card the last time. AAA contacted the police who sent over an officer, who sent me into my party and waited for AAA. He and 3 of the valets managed to wiggle the car nearly into a parking space. Chris Martin and I went out a couple of times to check on progress. When AAA finally had the car, Bill and Chris drove me directly to my door. Rosemary even offered to have me sleep over.
Tony at European Engineering, our beloved, former car guru, will dispose of it for us. That ends the debate on whether or not to keep 2 cars, one of which does not have a parking place.
Dexter had a little excitement this week, too. Window workers came in to do final sealing of the new windows. Dexter spotted an escape route and was extremely unhappy when I gabbed him from behind, preventing his escape. He's never been that angry before and my hands have many a slash as proof.