By SheelaR

Finally made my way to D.C. I thought about staying with my uncle and his family in Bethesda, but my mood is low-key funky. I’m struggling with sleep deprivation and not getting enough of the right things to eat.  All which are my fault. I’ve become somewhat of a situational lazy bum… Spending my days doing everything and then some days doing nothing at all. I need a routine. I function best with one.

I’m here for the funeral of a former neighbor and friend.  He was my introduction to D.C. when I arrived in D.C. in 2014. A real Washington insider. He spent 40 years as a lobbyist for the dairy industry…Ironically, I can’t tolerate milk, so he was quite amused at that revelation. Although he was in his 80’s, our conversations were timeless. Every morning, he’d wait for me in the lobby to talk while I finished my morning coffee, before heading to work. We talked about everything!

My contract was only for a maximum of one year, so when it was time for me to leave, he came bearing flowers, two bottles of my favorite wine, and words to live by. I love and appreciate anyone who spends so much of their time trying to educate and help others. That kind of energy is infectious and appreciated. Edward, was by far one of the kindest souls I’ve ever known. A surrogate grandfather…a role he relished.

I guess it’s easier to simply say…I’m mourning his loss and feeling very affected. It feels like I’ve lost another grandparent. Now that I’m alone, the quietness of my hotel room has allowed me to feel awashed with grief. I’m trying smile and laugh through it, but it’s a struggle. I don’t want my time here so be defined by sadness, because he wasn’t that type human. He’d tell me to laugh it off and to stop being so serious. I’m trying, because your life is the kind that should be celebrated and not mourned.