Rabbi Fine said that David Eagleman explores what it means to be human in his book “SUM” with vignettes about the afterlife. The first vignette recalls that Dr. Frankenstein’s monster went out of control because he badly wanted a relationship and things weren’t going well.
My yoga instructor gave me a candy flagged with “relaxing with friends is the best way to unwind after a long day.” And the NYT reported that the researchers who found that obese friends increase risk of obesity are now finding that the opposite is true. Hhmmm hanging out with healthy types could be good for your health. (makes me think about Jim Hammond and Iris…)
Anyway….I got lucky Friday night. Three friends came over even though decaf tea and watered down (scoreless) Scrabble were the only draws. We had the best time just talking. But I kind of dreaded Sunday night. In one my my excessively good moods, I had the idea of inviting 2 families with young kids who I thought would enjoy meeting. LITTLE KIDS….What was I thinking??? But for once, I was right. The husbands were talking so intently , I had to practically drag them to the table for lasagna. The wives, both former clarinetists, did hit it off and Lauren and Summer entertained the 6 and 7 year old and the 7 year old did a beautiful job with the darling one year old. I had fun at my own dinner party for once.
Best of all, Emily very considerately took the dog to the dog park and shopping during the party and then stopped me from piano to talk to me. With Andy at her side looking adoringly, she informed me that she plans to exercise when she’s pregnant and she’ll attend an ice cream social for the business school (NOT IN THAT ORDER). She also says she’s going for straight A’s her 2nd quarter at UW. (I had to blurt out that Peter Orzag singled out UW in today’s NYT because of its Medicaid driven budget cuts: 26% this year and next. But adversity worse than that can be overcome. ) Emily and Andy are so happy and I’m confident and motivated- I’m confident they’ll have a successful quarter.
What does it mean to be buman? Maybe it’s our yearning to weave connections with generations past and future and our computers….ooops I mean our family and friends.
