My wife and I got out of dodge for the night Saturday and it was very nice. It seems that since I got sick, I kinda dread going anywhere over night from my home. It just seems like a lot of work physically and emotionally. It is a bit of a hurdle for me.

My New York trip this past  Dec made me realize how much I needed to push myself to go, live and experience. And, as I did that in New York I was also confronted with the reality of my disabilities. It was something that I needed to confront and more importantly my wife and I spent priceless time with our friends who hosted us.

A couple of weeks ago a dear friend of my wife called and asked if we would come to dinner to her home in Peterborough NH ,she suggested that we should stay in her guest room so that we would not have to drive home late in the evening.

My wife really wanted to go and I said yes. In my mind I thought to myself God, it’s a long ride, what will the environment be like? Ice, stairs etc.

But, having watched my wife sacrifice and struggle so much over the last three years for my needs and those of my families I said, if she wants to go then I am going. It is her turn for joy. I cannot be selfish.

So yesterday , Saturday , we packed the overnight bag and went to the four o’clock mass. After mass we were off to Peterborough N.H. to see our friends C and her significant other R at their home . We arrived at their home around 6:30 pm and the driveway was heavily sanded so I was relieved that it was not as slippery as it could have been. When I went into  the door I saw that there was  a 16 step stairwell up to the main level that had no railings. They were in the process of renovation and did not have them up for painting. I took a deep breath and my wife and I headed up. Going up was fine but  my immediate question to myself was,how do I get out? I said to myself that’s tomorrow’s concern.

We settled in for the evening and had a wonderful dinner. We shared and talked ubout life our families etc.

I was so pleased to see my wife out of her every day element and just enjoying herself.  It made my effort well worth it. Our friends there in NH are very kind and caring people. We ended the evening at 1:00 am and the time just flew. I was awake most of the night but was praying. The accommodations were very nice.I just was not very tired. At 4:00 am I quietly sat up in bed and with no lights grabbed my kindle it was time to get my blog ready for Sunday so it got done and I posted it.

We started out on Sundahy morning and I said okay I need to figure out how to negotiate this stairway they then thought oops they had not thought-of that particular delima.  My friend Rick said no problem I will stay right in front of you just use my shoulder so down the stairs we all went. The outside had been sanded again so it was not icy for me and Rick had warmed my wife’s car for us too.

We next followed them to downtown Peterborough for breakfast at the Peterborough diner which is in an old train car. It was packed with patrons  and the food was excellent. Apparently the Soprano’ s was filmed there too  and every politician seems to drop in there too. It was fun.

We then headed home and my wife made a boiled dinner for the family. She may be Italian but she sure knows how to make a wonderful Irish boiled dinner.

I am finding that I need to say yes to the nicer things in life. God wants us to enjoy this life. It’s not just about surviving life. Not only that but by saying yes to the offer to visit our friends. God gave me a deeper appreciation of our friends and we shared conversation that revealed a faith in God that was really beautiful.

We need to be open to receive. We do not know what God may have planned for us in any given moment. If I had just stayed home on Saturday evening it would have been a real shame a lost opportunity.

The Peterborough Cafe, Peterborough NH

Home

Peterborough

So check it out sometime it was really great, the food, atmosphere, service and price. The diner is a small piece of Americana.

A boiled dinner…

God Bless You,

Danny