It's 10.30 pm in Minnesota, where I'm settling in for the night as I start a stretch of time visiting friends with the sole intent of decompressing. It feels like 10.30 pm, too, even though theoretically, I should still feel like it's 8.30. Maybe it's the time spent on a plane for 4hrs; maybe it's the built-up, perhaps it's the relief of being, finally, in a place where for here next four nights and five days, I have little or no demands on what I do or where I go or who I am for that matter, other than just being allowed to "be." Minnesota. Come for the friends, stay for the pie. I left on good terms with Tommy, which meant a great deal given the latest tensions that seemed to warrant his disdain. I am glad that's over for the time being and hopeful that it'll continue to be something we deal with less frequently. I'd call that progress. Hanging with Matt, Steve, and Diana is so liberating, as is their home and the tranquil nature of the environment that I'm almost brought to tears by the simple relief I feel taking some time for myself. It's been a long year of constant demands. I need this. I agreed to go tomorrow to the lake house where I'll see Leo and Teri after likely 30+ years of not. I've made it clear that I'm not going to play the 'small talk' game, and as I see it now, that's an opportunity to engage in real terms vs. avoiding doing so. We had a wonderful meal on the patio and a lovely firepit afterward, and it was cathartic just to be afforded this opportunity. I'm lucky to have friends like this. It's a shame there was a lull for a few decades, but it gave me insight and appreciation as I went off to experience my solo flight before returning to share the lessons learned with those who've had their journey. It's enriched.
