We eat out perhaps twice a month. In this corner of the western suburbs of Chicago there are endless opportunities for dining out, and the number is growing every day. We have a favorite upscale restaurant that has a sister site on Navy Pier in Chicago, and we were delighted when they opened the restaurant less than three miles from us. I wouldn't say we dine there frequently, or as frequently as we'd like. It's always fun to have a reason to go.
A friend from exercise class lost her husband early this year. I know that right after a funeral, there are a lot of calls and letters from friends, and that the attention begins to taper off as time passes. I thought it might be fun to treat her to dinner at this restaurant. She and her husband had been eating out for the past three years, so I thought it might make an evening pass more pleasantly for her, and she would have the chance to see a restaurant she might not go to on her own.
It was a wonderful evening. We all chose wines to start the meal, and chatted while we looked over the menus. Oddly, Elegante Mother and our guest and I all chose almost the same meal: petite fillet with a double baked potato. This restaurant is known for seafood and steaks, but this is the first time I've ever ordered a steak. Of course, it was superb. We dined early, to suit Elegante Mother's needs, so we had all the attention we needed. As the room began to fill up, a keyboardist and singer entertained us. It was just a very pleasant night.
I think we might do this again, but next time we'll try another of the restaurants available to us, just for variety. I hope it helped our friend to have the chance to talk, and to get out. I know it will be a long time before she adjusts to her loss, and I hope we can help her through it.
A good time was had by all!
Comments (7)
That is great, Buffy! You do pick good restaurants and you do take care of your friends. It doesn't get any better than that!
Posted by Cop Car | March 29, 2008 11:46 AM
Posted on March 29, 2008 11:46
that was such a lovely thing to do buffy, how thoughtful of you. glad it went well.
Posted by bod | March 29, 2008 12:06 PM
Posted on March 29, 2008 12:06
Ladies, I'm sure my friend had a good time. I think the widows in our class dine out regularly. Perhaps my friend would like to join them, so that her evenings are filled.
Posted by Registered User
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March 30, 2008 1:14 PM
Posted on March 30, 2008 13:14
Among my acquaintances the (ever growing number of) widows do tend to flock. I have a hard time getting them to consider me when they want someone with whom to do something. They think that I can't tear myself away from Hunky Husband, I guess. Even so, HH enjoys seeing them on occasion, himself!
Posted by Cop Car | March 31, 2008 9:45 AM
Posted on March 31, 2008 09:45
How odd that the widows haven't welcomed you to their ranks. Surely they know that HH is gone a lot of the time, and you'd enjoy the company. I have to admit that our ladies do not include EM and me other than for coffee on Monday mornings. I think that they see EM as being involved in our family, and therefore, not alone.
On summer weekends when I'm a boat widow, there are times when I would enjoy company. It cracked me up when the lady we took to dinner told me she was looking forward to sailing with DH this sommer. TRAITOR!!! lol
Interesting that HH likes the widows. Do they invite HIM to join them? *G*
Posted by Registered User
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April 1, 2008 1:11 PM
Posted on April 1, 2008 13:11
Ok, ok, stop it, now. I'm holding my sides at the vision of my widow friends taking HH out. ("Hi. What's going on? Good-bye." is more his style. How enchanting was he at your house? As I recall, he skipped our chat-fest! Contrarily, your Dear Husband stayed right in there with us and held up his end. We love 'em all, don't we?) Even Elegant Friend, friend since 1963, is reluctant to call. I must give off negative vibes. Really, I don't hold up my end of a friendship at all well, so they must do the heavy lifting.
Posted by Cop Car | April 1, 2008 10:54 PM
Posted on April 1, 2008 22:54
(GRINS) CC, I thought maybe he was more social with people he already knew!
You and I have hit it off because our friendship style is very similar, except that you are content with yourself, while I am still whining about what a bad friend I am.
This is really worth a blog entry, so I'll save the rest of my comments to post later.
FWIW....I think you're a GRAND friend! *S*
Posted by Registered User
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April 2, 2008 3:46 PM
Posted on April 2, 2008 15:46