Mar 14 2015
Surprises
A couple of days after we buried Megan and Rob’s beloved cat Ramona under the chinquapin tree on the family property, I came home to find a Fed Ex package waiting for me. I rarely, if ever, get Fed Ex packages. Even the Grand Jury summons came by humble mail. So I was both mystified and curious.
Inside, there was a selection of photos – you know, the actual printed ones – in a plastic bag with no note. The photos were of Ramona and her sister Harriet as kittens, along with some of me as a kitten and some of Dad at what now appears to me to be quite a kitten-ish age, though he was likely a bit older than I am now in most of them. John had found them and sent them to me.
Here you can see Ramona on the down-filled couch and her sister Harriet on the carpet at my now million dollar former apartment in San Francisco in December, 2001, freshly arrived from their rescue from southern California.
I thought it was an amazingly kind gesture and thanked him accordingly. Even by email, it was clear that he was both self-deprecating and embarrassed, which is what I would expect after knowing him for more than 25 years. As I observed to a friend, he is the best ex-husband ever.
A few days after that happy surprise, I got a less happy one. John texted me saying that he was in his local ER with high blood pressure and a racing heart. Fortunately, it was an anxiety attack rather than a heart attack, and all tests came back clean – his heart is fine. He has since seen his doctor and hopefully all is now under control. He said it made a big difference knowing that I was prepared to go down there and look after his cats, including the irrepressible Jack, the last of our cats together. We’ve been in touch every day ever since* and he is doing fine. I’m thankful that he is healthy and well, and that we are still friends and have each other’s backs, no matter what.
*He texted me yesterday to say “Thanks for checking in with me every day. It means a lot.”
A YEAR AGO: A young man with a bow tie is rather naughty. Also: a culinary challenge.
2 Responses to “Surprises”
What a nice gesture from an ex partner. I love to see this happening. It is always much better to remain decent with the people we once loved. Too many find a way to hurt or find any excuse for revenge. I remained in contact with my two ex wives and find it very rewarding. It is said once you have loved someone, it is impossible to hate them, I stand by that.
I heard somewhere that it was sometimes easier to live and be friends apart rather than under the same roof..
So much better than such terrible bitterness that seems to erupt during after divorces.
What a kind gesture of John’s…