Missouri Gals in the Berkeley Hills

We had a clear and crisp day for our drive up into the Berkeley hills. After stopping to take in the views of the Bay Area, we continued on to Forest Lane and visited Jaime's home where Chester lived for over two years.

Jaime is putting the house on the market, so soon we will face the challenge of fully emptying Chester's apartment and massage studio. Chester and I are in dialogue about how to face this task, and will be tackling it in March. Sure to be an emotional ride for all of us, but in many ways it is the best thing. This way, Chester can be with us and make decisions about what to do with his belongings and participate in the process. Like every other phase in this process, we will clear out his old apartment and his beloved massage temple with consciousness and grace.

On the way out of Jaime's house, we picked dozens of Meyer lemons from Jaime's tree, and in the coming days Mama has promised to make Chester a lemon meringue pie or two. Yum Yum.

Yesterday Chester had a particularly grueling physical therapy session and sustained a minor injury. He was practicing floor transfers- getting up from the floor into his wheelchair, so that he knows how in case of a fall. It is hard work but necessary. Just being on the floor and having to work himself up into the chair has a strong emotional charge, and is also very physically exerting. He successfully got up into his chair five or six times, and was really getting a hang of the technique. Of course, what works for Chester is the exact opposite of the standard method- going backwards once again! On one attempt at getting up, however, Chester fell backwards, hitting his head on the edge of the commode and straining his knee. We ended the session early (after getting back up into bed), and elevated and iced the knee. It is not a major injury, but we are taking precautions and keeping it rested.

Gil and JD just arrived with a turkey dinner. So I'll sign off and go eat! Oh! An apple pie for dessert!

May you all be full of breath and joy,

Chrys