Home Town Visit

I refuse to write about the DMV again, so suffice it to say: I ended up retaking the road test, I passed, I’ll probably have to retake it every two years, and, yes, they’re still dementors!

I’ve recently returned to San Francisco after an interesting week in Milwaukee. I had a chance to reconnect with old friends, which was wonderful. One night, I presented my story at the Jewish Community Center. Over 30 people came to hear me speak, many of whom I had known for many years.

I told the story of my hospital stay and ongoing recovery, trying to interject humor where I could. The audience laughed in all the right places, so I knew they understood me. Following my presentation, I sold a few books and signed them to each individual.  There was a warm feeling in the room, a feeling of support and encouragement from these people I had grown up with.

We had dinner afterwards with my cousins. It was great spending time with them as well. My cousin David mentioned that he had tried to visit me in the hospital shortly after I moved to the rehab facility in Marin. He was in SF for a short stay and called to see if he could visit. They told him not to come in the evening for some reason, and he was unable to visit me during the remainder of his stay. I told him a philosophy I had picked up from someone I greatly respect: sometimes it’s better to apologize after than to ask permission before. I don’t know why anyone would have discouraged a visitor, but I was certainly “allowed” evening visitors. Actually, I never asked-people just came to visit me when they could, and the staff dealt with it. I wasn’t in prison!

In any case, it was fantastic to catch up with David, and my other wonderful friends, during this visit.

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